Plan to lay 42-km pipeline from Bhama Askhed to Pune

Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has submitted a proposal to Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for laying a 42-km long water supply line from Bhama Askhed Dam, located around 65 km to the north, to Pune.

The project will improve the water situation in Kharadi and Pune-Ahmednagar Road areas and meet the water needs of around 10 lakh population in the PMC area, starting from Holkar Bridge.
After the execution of the project, 200 million litres per day (MLD) of water will be supplied to around 25 wards.

The proposal submitted to the Central agency has estimated the initial cost of project to be Rs396.38 crore. A pumping station will be constructed at Bhama Askhed to draw the water for Pune, along with seven storage tanks in the initial phase.

Speaking to DNA, city engineer Prashant Waghmare said, “The present and future water needs of Kharadi, Yerawada and the areas along the entire Ahmednagar Road will be met by this project.”

The waters from Bhama Askhed dam and metered supply in the future in these areas will help PMC to carry out efficient water supply, Waghmare said.

According to official estimates, as against the need of 130 MLD in 2015, the current water supply is only 100 MLD.

The 2045 water projection for the city’s population is 231 MLD.
PMC had earlier estimated the cost of the first phase of the project at Rs496 crore. Civic authorities had also stated that Rs7.2 lakh has been allocated for the project in the current financial year.