Lokmat News Network
Aurangabad, Feb 5
Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday inaugurated the Rs 1,680-crore water supply scheme for the city after the wait of almost a year. He also inspected the work of a water tank coming up in Delhi Gate area and planted a sapling.
District guardian minister Subhash Desai, minister of state Sandipan Bhumre, minister of state Abdul Sattar, former MP Chandrakant Khaire, MLC Ambadas Danve, MLA Sanjay Shirsath, district collector Sunil Chavan, municipal commissioner Astik Kumar Pandey and others were present.
Residents, who have been waiting for their water woes to end for almost two decades, finally saw the actual work of the new water scheme starting. The scheme is being implemented through the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran. In view of the upcoming municipal corporation election, this scheme assumes great importance for Shiv Sena.
The work of water tanks at Garware Sports Complex and Delhi Gate began on Thursday. Thackeray, who arrived at the venue around 12.30 pm on Friday, inspected the work of the water tank coming up in Delhi Gate, near the residence of municipal commissioner Astik Kumar Pandey.
The capacity of this tank will be 30 lakh litres and height, 20 metres. It could meet the needs of nearly 63,000 people. Around, 50 such tanks are to be constructed in the city under this scheme.
The police had maintained strict security at the venue. Media persons were given passes for this programme. However, as the schedule was cancelled at the last moment, many media persons could not attend it and those without passes were not allowed inside.
Meanwhile, BJP activists led by district president Sanjay Kenekar, Sameer Rajurkar, Rajgaurav Wankhede, gathered at the gate of the venue and insisted on meeting the CM as they wanted to give him their memorandum of demands. Apprehending trouble, the police rounded up nearly 15-20 activists and later released them.