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 report (DPR) of the tunnel was drafted and tabled before govt for further consideration. As per the DPR, the tunnel will be below the ground across the city till Phursungi and the water will flow as per gravity.
Joint panel to decide on use of freed land The irrigation department has said about 200 hectares of canal land would be freed after the tunnel construction. A joint panel of the irrigation department, PMC and state govt will work on the land utilisation. The canal land is with the irrigation department.
We also published the following articles recently Karnataka cabinet approves Bengalurus first tunnel road project The cabinet approved Bengaluru's first tunnel road project, costing Rs 12,690 crore, to ease traffic. A 250-meter sky deck was also greenlit. These projects are spearheaded by Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
The tunnel will link Hebbal flyover to Central Silk Board junction. The sky deck is set to be an attraction, costing Rs 500 crore. Andhra Pradesh govt keen on completing Veligonda project in a year, says irrigation minister Nimmala Ramanaidu Irrigation minister Nimmala Ramanaidu announced the government's intent to complete the Veligonda project within a year, criticizing former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for neglect and insufficient funding.
Ramanaidu highlighted pending works, including trenching, tunnel lining, and rehabilitation. He emphasized the urgency to provide water to drought-prone districts and detailed the financial requirements for the project's completion. Thane-Borivli twin-tunnel: MMRDA 7L litres of water a day The MMRDA required around 7 lakh litres of water and space for dumping soil for the Thane-Borivli twin-tunnel road project.
Officials highlighted potential strains on resources and congestion. Municipal Commissioner Rao suggested using recycled sewage water and scheduling transport to minimize traffic impact, ensuring project progression while addressing city concerns..
