Pune: The irrigation department has started preparations to appoint an agency for the 28-km-long water tunnel from the Khadakwasla dam to Phursungi to save 2.18 TMC water after getting state govt ’s approval for the project . Officials said the work on the tunnel would take three to four years and the water saved by the project would be utilised for the city’s rising water requirement.
The project proposal was with state govt since last year. After much deliberation, state cabinet approved the project on Sunday and allotted Rs 2,190 crore for the works. Govt plans to raise funds for the project through assistance from international funding agencies or financial institutions.
The irrigation department officials said the bidding process would begin soon and tenders would be called to appoint an implementing agency. Besides, teams were taking up various surveys and studies for the execution of the project, they said. The tunnel has already received a go-ahead from state-appointed technical committee.
Civic activists have been raising concerns over loss of water from the Mutha canal, which has remained in bad shape despite repairs by the irrigation department. Four dams in the Khadakwasla circle can store 29.15 TMC of water.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has demanded 21 TMC water for the year against the backdrop of increased population, while elected representatives from rural parts saying that their water quota should not be curtailed. The officials said a detailed project.