Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Ahead of Maharashtra Day, the High Court has expressed hope that efforts should be made by the concerned agencies to draw water into the ‘MBR’ (Master Balancing Reservoir) at the Nakshatrawadi water treatment plant and supply purified water to the city. The court expects that the water should then be distributed across the city through gravity.
After Friday’s hearing, Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri observed that if all agencies and legal representatives work in coordination, the city could start receiving water by 1 May. The next hearing in the public interest litigation is scheduled for 27 April.
A committee appointed by the High Court submitted the minutes of its meeting through Chief Government Pleader Amarjit Singh Girase. The committee expressed strong displeasure over delays in the work and stated that strict instructions have been given to the contractor to expedite progress.
Current status of the project (as per the report):
Water has begun flowing from Jayakwadi into the new pipeline and, as of April 1, 2026, has reached Kaudgaon bridge (18,400 metres). Instructions have been given to immediately repair leakages and increase pumping to ensure water reaches Nakshatrawadi.
Permission from the explosives department is pending due to incomplete civil work at the Nakshatrawadi plant. Authorities have been directed to urgently complete the chlorine toner room and initiate the approval process. Two additional sub-contractors have been appointed to speed up pending slab work.
Of the total 1,911 km pipeline network in the city, 1,300 km has been completed so far. However, only 20 km of work has been completed in the past three months out of the targeted 600 km. The committee has instructed that manpower be increased and work be carried out on a war footing.
The municipal commissioner has directed that road repairs should continue alongside pipeline work. If repair costs exceed initial estimates, the municipal corporation will bear the expense, but care must be taken to minimise inconvenience to citizens.
Work on elevated storage reservoirs (ESRs) at Sindhi Colony and Jatwada Road must begin immediately. Authorities have also been instructed to resolve the land dispute at Jinsi at the earliest and take possession of the site.
The contractor has not been fulfilling commitments on time. Therefore, the report suggests deploying a ‘flying squad’ and a ‘rapid response team’ to monitor the quality and pace of work.
Contractor’s counsel R N Dhorde informed the court that testing has been completed for 36 out of 38 km between the jackwell and the water treatment plant (WTP). A leakage detected at one point has been repaired. Testing work is currently halted at Dhorkin due to a broken scour valve, but it will resume within two days after replacement.
Municipal Corporation counsel Sambhaji Tope said that commissioner Amol Yedge reviewed the project immediately after assuming charge. The High Court expressed satisfaction over this update.