PMC issues notices to 2 firms over tardy work

PMC issues notices to 2 firms over tardy work

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a show cause notices to two companies that were appointed to lay the underground water pipeline under the ambitious 24x7 water supply project. 

Interestingly, the two companies have responded that the delay was due to lack of co-ordination among civic body’s departments and the police - the bodies that are supposed to grant them digging permission. 

As per the agreement, contractors should have had completed laying of pipeline of around 150 km but against this the work has been completed for only 20 km.  

The PMC allotted work to L&T and Jain Irrigation. These agencies undertook the work to instal commercial meters and pipeline in Viman Nagar, Kharadi, Aundh and Baner area. Now, it has been revealed that the work is going on at a very slow pace.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Nandkumar Jagtap, Superintendent Engineer of Water Supply Department who is in charge of 24x7 water supply project said, “During our review, we found that project work is going on slowly.”

Jagtap further added, “As per the agreement, the agencies should have laid around 150 km of water pipeline. However, they have laid down only 20 km of pipeline so far.”

He added, “We have issued show cause notices to agencies for the slow work. They said that due to delay in securing permission from departments of the civic body and the police to carry out digging work and due to lack of coordination, they could not meet the deadline. We are trying to sort out this issue on priority basis to speed up work.” 

Madhusudan Chaudhari, Project Officer of Jain Irrigation admitted that the PMC demanded an explanation for the slow work. He said, “Work has started late. Now, we are not getting permission for road work as Road Department has constructed cement concrete road.” 

To tackle the irregular, uneven  and insufficient water supply, the PMC initiated 24x7 water supply project. 

The aim of the project is to provide safe and equitable water supply to all citizens for the next 30 years and to distribute water 24 hrs every day. 

The project got approved in February 2018. The total cost of the project is Rs 2,550 crore. Out of this, the  PMC has raised Rs 200 crore through bonds. Since last year, the civic body has begun collecting water charges for the 24x7 project. The project work started last December. 

A German company supplying automatic meters for 24x7 project has expressed displeasure about the way the meters are being installed by the contractors. 

At present, contractors have installed 350 meters in commercial establishments. The German company  has raised objections and so, the company representatives will be presented at the installation of the meters.

WATER SUPPLY FACTS
- 24x7 water supply project approved in February 2018. 
- The project cost is Rs 2,550 crore. 
- 1,600 km of pipelines will be replaced. 
- 50 per cent pipelines are of 150 mm diameter. 
- Work includes installation of meters, making infrastructure for the project and maintaining it for 10 years. 
- The project deadline is five years after work starts. 
- The PMC has divided the city into 328 District Metering Areas (DMA) so they can check water supply and distribution. 
- Citizens can check inflow and outflow of water through a meter.

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