Pune: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in a public function held at the Pune Municipal Corporation building, assured the civic body to waive off Rs 260 crore which it has to pay to the state government in connection with the Bhama Askhed dam water project.
“The PMC has already paid huge amounts for the rehabilitation of farmers affected by the Bhama Askhed dam water supply project. The state government had asked the PMC to bear the partial cost of Rs 260 crore of the project, but I will take efforts in the cabinet to waive off this amount,” Pawar said in his speech while launching and offering the successfully completed project to the citizens of the city. Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present during the occasion.
Pawar not only stopped at declaring the waiver, but also promised that he will ensure that additional water supply is made available to Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad city by reducing the power generation at the Mulshi dam by the Tata company. “The state has surplus power generation and supply. Hence the Tata company should reduce their power generation at the dam. We will take efforts to make this water available to Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad citizens.”
Pawar further stated that Pune city had a need of annual 5 TMC water supply in 1991. Now the city needs 18 TMC water every year. Since the needs of the city had to be fulfilled, the agricultural water supply had got affected. Hence the water from Bhama Askhed dam was diverted to fulfil the growing demands of the city.”