Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Work on the new water supply scheme project, which involves a 2,500 mm-diametre pipeline, is underway. However, only 5 km out of the 38 km pipeline has undergone a hydraulic test. “Why hasn’t the remaining pipeline been tested?” raised a serious concern municipal commissioner Amol Yedge on Monday. Officials from the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) said an ultrasonic test had been conducted, but the commissioner remained unconvinced. He asked how potential leaks due to pressure would be handled, leaving MJP officials unable to respond.
On Monday afternoon, a detailed review meeting of the new water supply project was held at the municipal corporation headquarters. Present were MJP chief engineer Manisha Palande, officials from GVPR Company, PMC, the municipal water supply section, and officer on special duty (OSD). Commissioner Yedge began by taking a detailed briefing on the project, reviewing every component: the construction of jackwells, approach bridges, the method of transporting untreated water to the Nakshatrawadi water treatment plant, the placement and functioning of scour valves, and the status of incomplete works. Questions were raised about how much of the 1,800 km pipeline has been laid, reasons for delays in laying the remaining sections, and why work on ten overhead water tanks has stalled.
MJP officials struggled to answer. Yedge instructed a comprehensive report within three days, after which the discussion will resume.
GVPR officials explained that permission to work in the old city was granted in 2022. Cement roads in the old city make it difficult to dig and restore, causing delays and public dissatisfaction.
Inspection from Tuesday morning
Commissioner Yedge will personally inspect the entire water supply project from 8 am on Tuesday, accompanied by MJP and municipal corporation officials.
Pipeline test halted on Monday
The hydraulic test could not be conducted on Monday because the scour valve at Pharola remained open. MJP officials confirmed that testing will resume from 9 am on Tuesday.