Pune: PCMC Issues Notice To Contractor Over Delay In Bhama Askhed Water Pipeline Project; One Year Extension Granted To Complete Work

Pimpri, 27th December 2024: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has raised concerns over the delay in completing the Bhama Askhed water pipeline project, which aims to address the city’s growing water demand. Despite a four-year deadline set for the ₹162 crore project, only 48% of the work has been completed so far.

In response to the notice issued by the PCMC, the contractor, Offshore India Ltd., has submitted an action plan for expediting the work. The civic body has granted a one-year extension to complete the project, which will add 167 million liters per day (MLD) of water to the city’s supply upon completion.

Currently, Pimpri-Chinchwad receives water from various sources: 610 MLD from the Pawna Dam in Maval, 510 MLD from the Andra Dam, 80 MLD from the temporary Nighoje Dam on the Indrayani River, and 20 MLD from the MIDC. Despite these sources, residents have endured alternate-day water supply for the past five years due to rising population and growing demand.

To address the shortfall, the PCMC launched the Bhama Askhed water pipeline project in December 2020. The pipeline, with a diameter of 1,400 mm, is being laid across a distance of 7.30 kilometers from Wada to Navlakh Umbre in Talegaon Dabhade MIDC and further to a purification plant in Chikhali. The project was expected to be completed by December 2024. However, slow progress and delays in acquiring land from departments such as Gram Panchayat, Public Works, MIDC, Forest, and Irrigation have hampered the work. Additionally, rocky terrain has further obstructed the construction process.

Following repeated instructions to accelerate the project, PCMC Commissioner and Additional Commissioner held a meeting with the contractor, after which efforts to expedite the work were initiated. The contractor has since submitted a revised plan and intensified operations.