Pune: In response to the outbreak of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in six villages under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, the state government has decided to construct a water purification plant at a cost of ₹500 crore. The project aims to ensure a steady supply of clean water to affected areas.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that ₹250 crore will be provided by the state government, while the remaining ₹250 crore will be contributed by Pune Municipal Corporation. The proposal for this project was initially submitted under the AMRUT scheme of the central government but was not approved, leading the state government to intervene with funding.

The six villages where GBS cases have been detected are located along Sinhagad Road and surrounding areas. Given the health risks posed by contaminated water, the project has been prioritized to prevent further spread of the disease.

Alongside the water purification initiative, a decision has also been made to procure 1,000 new buses to replace old vehicles in the PMPML fleet. The project will require ₹500 crore, with the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) contributing ₹250 crore. The remaining ₹250 crore will be jointly funded by Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations, with PMC allocating ₹150 crore and PCMC providing ₹100 crore.

Although the initial plan was to purchase electric buses, delays in their availability have led to the decision to procure CNG-powered buses instead. The replacement of old buses is expected to improve public transport efficiency and reduce breakdown incidents.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said: "The state government is committed to ensuring clean water supply and improving public transport in Pune. Necessary funds have been allocated for both projects, and implementation will begin soon."