Finally, state approves water supply scheme of Rs 1680 cr on AMC''s Anniversary Day

Aurangabad, Dec 8:

Here is good news for the Aurangabadians as the state government has approved to the proposal seeking implementation of the new water supply scheme of Rs 1680 crore, today morning. Meanwhile, the nodal agency of the project Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) has geared up to execute the project. The chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will be performing the ''bhoomipujan'' of the water project in a month, it is hoped.

As reported earlier, the then Shiv Sena-BJP led state government approved the estimate of the new water supply scheme of Rs 1680 crore in 2019. The responsibility of completing the tender process and execute it was given to MJP. Later on, the MJP shortlisted a Hyderabad-based GVPR company, for the execution of the project, to the state government for approval. MJP seconded the contractor as of all the responses GVPR quoted 9.9 per cent above the estimated price, which was lowest amongst all respondents. The proposal seeking implementation of the project was sent to the state government before lockdown.

However, the state government today morning approved the proposal. The finance department has issued orders in connection with the release of the fund as well. Incidentally, it is the 33rd anniversary day of AMC. Hence, all the obstructions in implementing the scheme are cleared. Probably, the CM will arrive in the city to perform ''bhoomipujan'' either at the end of December or the first week of January, said the sources.

MJP gears up to execute the project

After learning about the approval, the MJP officials today issued an urgent letter directing the GVPR company to submit an earnest deposit of Rs 33.60 crore (which is 2 per cent of the project cost). The monetary process is likely to be completed in a couple of days.

Survey of the main pipeline route

The survey to lay giant size (main) pipelines between Jayakwadi Dam to Nakshatrawadi will now start soon. The survey will help identify the level of surface land so that the pipelines could be laid without any obstructions. There is no need of land acquisition, said the superintending engineer (MJP) Ajay Singh.

It so happened that a cricket match was organised between officers of various departments, as a part of AMC''s anniversary day celebration at Garware Stadium, today morning. The civic chief learnt about the approval of the water project, and then he left the match in between and proceeded to meet with the MJP officials in this regard.