Pune: The Khadakwasla-Phursungi Water Tunnel Project, a crucial initiative aimed at preventing water pollution, conserving water, and enhancing irrigation, has hit a roadblock due to pending environmental clearance. The Water Resources Department is currently awaiting approval, causing an indefinite delay in the project’s commencement.
The project was approved last year, and the Water Resources Department quickly initiated the tender process, finalized a contractor, and even issued the work order before the implementation of the assembly election code of conduct.
However, despite these efforts, work has not yet begun due to the lack of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Environment Department. Officials from the Water Resources Department, speaking anonymously, confirmed that no work can commence until the required clearance is granted.
Project Highlights
The project involves constructing a 28-kilometer-long water tunnel from Khadakwasla Dam to Phursungi.
The State Level Technical Advisory Committee (SLTAC) and the State Government granted approval in September.
The tunnel will help conserve approximately 2.5 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water.
It will provide irrigation water for an additional 3,472 hectares of land.
The project aims to prevent water pollution and reduce water losses due to leakage and evaporation.
Tunnel Design and Functionality
The tunnel will have a D-shaped cross-section, with the following specifications:
7.80 meters in width,
3.90 meters in height,
1.950 meters circular height.
The tunnel will transport water entirely through gravity flow to Phursungi, ensuring no need for pumps or external energy sources. With a canal capacity of 1,510 cusecs, the project is expected to minimize water loss, leakage, and contamination, ultimately saving 2.5 TMC of water.