HC: Focus on resolving water supply issues with positive approach

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Following a directive from the High Court, a joint committee comprising the contractor, the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), and the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation inspected the ‘Jackwell’ work at Jayakwadi Dam. The contractor stated that the work was nearly complete, while officials from the MJP and the CSMC highlighted several deficiencies during the hearing.

Instead of engaging in mutual accusations, Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Abhay Mantri (of Bombay High Court) advised all parties to adopt a positive approach and focus on resolving issues in the scheme so that the city receives water as soon as possible. Written observations on the deficiencies in the Jackwell and related work were to be prepared, and the officials responsible were instructed to appear at the Bombay High Court on Thursday (February 26), at 4.30 pm. Those instructed include MJP member secretary A S Ranga Naik, chief engineer Manisha Palande, municipal commissioner G Sreekanth, and all relevant lawyers.

Deficiencies found in the inspection report

During the hearing, the joint committee presented the inspection report along with numerous photographs of the issues. Key problems identified include:

Multiple leakages at different points in the Jackwell.

Poor cleanliness in the Jackwell area.

Several semi-circular cement ‘chairs’ supporting the 2500 mm pipeline are broken.

Large gaps between two pipelines.

Broken steps in the Jackwell, among other issues.

The municipal commissioner G Sreekanth also informed the court ‘online’ that approximately ten pumps, costing around ₹7 crore each, are planned to extract water from the Jackwell. He emphasised that the accumulated dust and other debris in the pumps must be cleaned before installation, as cleaning them after filling the Jackwell with water would not be possible.

An agreement for the electrical connections for the motors has been prepared. While there is no objection to connecting electricity, the commissioner noted that once the connections are made, an estimated ₹4 crore per month will be incurred as the electricity bill. Although the contractor is responsible for cleaning the pipelines, the commissioner said that 100–150 personnel and three fire brigade vehicles would be provided for this purpose.