Pavana water pipeline project will proceed only with farmers' consent, says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister CM Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the proposed Pavana Direct Closed Water Pipeline Project aimed at meeting the future water needs of PimpriChinchwad will be implemented only with the consent confidence and active participation of farmersChairing a highlevel meeting at Vidhan Bhavan Fadnavis said the government would move ahead with the project only after extensive consultations with farmers local public representatives and all concerned departmentsThe sentiments and views of farmers will be fully respected The project will be taken forward through dialogue mutual trust and consensus and a permanent solution will be evolved through discussions with all stakeholders CM Fadnavis saidThe meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil Member of Parliament MP Shrirang Barne legislators Anna Bansode Mahesh Landge Sanjay Bala Bhegade Uma Khapre and Amit Gorkhe PimpriChinchwad Municipal Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryawanshi and other senior government officialsLongterm water planning crucial amid rapid urbanisationHighlighting Maharashtras rapid urbanisation Fadnavis said the state must plan its water resources efficiently to prevent future shortagesWith new residential areas developing rapidly and the population increasing longterm water planning and the efficient use of every drop of water are essential The Pavana Direct Closed Water Pipeline Project will play a crucial role in meeting PimpriChinchwads future drinking water requirements he saidCM Fadnavis also directed officials to prepare a comprehensive water management plan for the entire Pune Metropolitan Region up to 2050The plan should factor in population growth urbanisation and industrial expansion while identifying new water sources and ensuring the optimum utilisation of existing water resources he saidFadnavis further stressed the need to expand the use of treated wastewater for industrial commercial and other nonpotable purposes including parks and construction activities to reduce pressure on drinking water suppliesProject to supply clean water directly from Pavana DamDuring the meeting PimpriChinchwad Municipal Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryawanshi made a detailed presentation on the proposed projectAccording to the civic administration the Pavana Direct Closed Water Pipeline Project will transport water directly from the Pavana Dam to the water treatment plant at Sector 23 in Nigdi ensuring a clean reliable and pollutionfree water supplyWater demand expected to surge over the next 25 yearsAt present PimpriChinchwad with an estimated population of 38 million receives around 650 million litres per day MLD of water Of this 520 MLD is supplied from the Pavana River 100 MLD from the Indrayani River and 30 MLD through MIDC The citys current daily water demand stands at around 655 MLD while its approved allocation is 776 MLD which is expected to remain adequate until 2029However civic projections indicate that the citys population could increase to 55 million by 2031 raising water demand to 949 MLD By 2041 the population is projected to reach 95 million requiring 1638 MLD of water By 2051 the citys population is expected to touch 135 million pushing daily water demand to 2328 MLDOfficials said the proposed project is expected to provide a sustainable secure and futureready water supply system for the rapidly expanding PimpriChinchwad city