Pimpri: In a bid to ensure a sustainable water supply for the rapidly growing city of Pimpri-Chinchwad, plans are underway to develop new water sources to meet the projected population demands for 2041. The Andra-Bhama Askhed project, a key component of this strategy, has already delivered 100 million liters per day (MLD) of water to the city in its first phase. The second phase, which is expected to be completed by June 2025, will add an additional 168 MLD to the city's water supply.

In a recent interaction with the residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad via social media, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mahesh Landge, who represents the Bhosari assembly constituency, discussed the ongoing efforts to make the city self-sufficient in water. He noted that the cancellation of the 'status quo' order on the Pavana closed water pipeline project and the increased capacity of the Nigdi water purification plant are significant steps toward this goal. Furthermore, a proposal has been submitted to the state government to reserve 750 MLD of water from the Mulshi dam for future needs.

MLA Landge emphasized the city's rapid development alongside Pune, positioning it as Maharashtra's fifth-largest city and the 19th largest in the country. Recalling the city's humble beginnings, he noted that Pimpri-Chinchwad Nagar Parishad was established on March 4, 1970, followed by the Municipal Corporation on October 11, 1982, when the population was just around 235,000. Today, the population has soared to over 30 lakh necessitating the expansion of water sources that were not developed during earlier periods of growth.

Support from Residents: Key to Progress

Since its establishment, the Pavana dam has been the city's only water source. However, with the city's exponential growth and urbanization, new water sources have become a pressing need. Recognizing this, MLA Landge and his team promised to address Pimpri-Chinchwad's water issues during the 2014 Bhosari assembly election. The residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad supported this vision, allowing Landge to represent them in the legislative assembly. With the cooperation of then deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Andra-Bhama Askhed water supply project was initiated, reserving 268 MLD of water for residents in areas such as Talawade, Chikhli, Moshi, Dudulgaon, Dighi, and Bhosari.

 'Sustainable Development for Pimpri-Chinchwad'

Under the Andra-Bhama Askhed water supply scheme, several key infrastructure projects have been completed, including the establishment of a 100 MLD jackwell at Talawade, a water purification center, and a 100 MLD water supply pipeline. A work order for a 168 MLD water purification center has also been issued. The construction of a jackwell in the Bhama Askhed dam and a direct pipeline water supply system are currently in progress, with the entire project expected to be fully operational by June 2025.

MLA Landge reaffirmed his commitment to making Pimpri-Chinchwad self-reliant in water resources, stressing that development is a continuous process. He expressed confidence that with the continued support and blessings of the residents, the goal of water self-sufficiency for Pimpri-Chinchwad will be achieved.

Quoting a personal philosophy, he stated, "As we move from the physical to the divine, we owe something to the country in between." This sentiment, he said, has guided his work so far and will continue to do so in the future.