Chief Minister Fadnavis Gives ‘Green Signal’ to Pavana Direct Water Pipeline Project

Mumbai/Pimpri-Chinchwad | Correspondent:The ambitious Pavana Dam-Nigdi Water Treatment Plant direct pipeline project—designed to provide a permanent solution to Pimpri-Chinchwad city’s future drinking water needs—has finally gained decisive momentum. A detailed review of the project’s administrative, technical, financial, and legal hurdles was conducted during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai. The Chief Minister issued clear directives stating that a meeting with farmers and representatives of their organizations would be held next week to address the farmers’ legitimate demands, after which a final decision will be taken.

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This crucial meeting was organized following the persistent follow-up by BJP MLA Mahesh Landge. During the meeting, the State Government emphasized its decision to accord special priority to this project, considering factors such as the growing population, increasing pollution in the Pavana River, and the rising future demand for drinking water. A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Attendees included Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, MP Shrirang Barne, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Anna Bansode, MLAs Mahesh Landge, Uma Khapre, Amit Gorkhe, Shankar Jagtap, and Sunil Shelke, and former MLA Bala Bhegade. Also present were Pimpri-Chinchwad Mayor Ravi Landge, Deputy Mayor Sharmila Babar, Standing Committee Chairman Abhishek Barne, House Leader Prashant Shitole, Leader of Opposition Bhausaheb Bhoir, BJP City President Shatrughna Kate, the Pune Divisional Commissioner, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner, Pune District Collector, and the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, along with senior officials from the Urban Development, Water Resources, Revenue, and Railway departments, MSRDC, Mahavitaran, PMRDA, and the Municipal Corporation.

A meeting with Chief Minister Fadnavis will be organized next week, involving farmers from Maval, local residents (‘Bhumiputras’), and representatives of relevant organizations. During this meeting, the farmers’ demands will be understood, and a fair resolution will be reached. The responsibility for coordinating this has been entrusted to MLAs Mahesh Landge and Sunil Shelke.

Long-term Plan for the City’s Water Security

Work on this project, originally sanctioned in 2006 under the Central Government’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), began in 2008. However, the project was stalled following protests in 2011. The path to restarting the project was cleared in September 2023 after the State Government withdrew its ‘status quo’ order. Subsequently, a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared, and its technical validation was completed by IIT Bombay. According to the revised DPR, the estimated cost of the project is ₹1,015.64 crore; however, the Municipal Corporation stands to save approximately ₹200 crore by reusing water pipelines that had been procured earlier. *******

Serious Concerns Regarding Pollution in the Pavana River

The escalating pollution of the Pavana River emerged as a critical issue during the meeting. Data presented revealed that water tests conducted in various state-of-the-art laboratories detected the presence of PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”), phthalates, industrial chemicals, pesticide residues, pharmaceutical traces, and caffeine. It was highlighted during the meeting that scientific reports indicate this polluted water poses risks such as cancer, hormonal disorders, kidney and liver diseases, immune system suppression, and adverse effects on fetal development.

A Vital Project for a Growing Population

The current population of Pimpri-Chinchwad city stands at approximately 3.2 million, with projections estimating it will rise to 5.5 million by 2031, 9.5 million by 2041, and 13.5 million by 2051. Given the anticipated massive surge in future drinking water demand, the meeting underscored the urgent need to complete the Pavana Direct Water Pipeline Project. Detailed discussions were held regarding the remaining 15% of land acquisition, necessary permissions from the Railways and MSRDC, power connections from Mahavitaran, hurdles within the PMRDA jurisdiction, the MIDC-PCMC water swapping scheme, and the establishment of a dedicated mechanism to ensure inter-departmental coordination. Emphasis was placed on all departments working in unison to complete the project on schedule, following its designation as a ‘Special Priority Project’ by the State Government.

Project to Proceed Only After Addressing Farmers’ Legitimate Demands

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated unequivocally during the meeting, “This project must go ahead; otherwise, the future will not forgive us. Future generations will label us as failures.” Concurrently, he directed officials to initiate the process of providing employment within the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to the 12 farmers who were injured during the agitation. Important directives were issued regarding prioritizing the rehabilitation of affected farmers, accepting their legitimate demands, holding a separate meeting with farmers and representatives of their organizations in the presence of MLA Sunil Shelke, ensuring the joint completion of the project by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and the State Government, and making water recycling and reuse mandatory. The Chief Minister assured, “We will not abandon the farmers; the government is positive about their legitimate demands.”

“The Pavana Direct Water Pipeline Project is not merely a water supply scheme; it forms the foundation for the health of lakhs of Pimpri-Chinchwad citizens, future water security, and the city’s overall development. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took serious note of this matter and convened a high-level meeting. The government’s positive stance will help clear all hurdles facing the project and ensure the work gains definite momentum. We are committed to providing clean, safe, and adequate drinking water to the residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad by taking the local ‘sons of the soil’ (indigenous residents), farmers, and public representatives of Maval into confidence, ensuring no one suffers any loss. Efforts will also be made to fulfill all the legitimate demands of the farmers.”
– Mahesh Landge, MLA, BJP, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune.

“The Pavana Direct Water Pipeline Project is crucial for the future of Pimpri-Chinchwad, and its completion is essential; otherwise, future generations will not forgive us. The State Government is positive about accelerating the work by resolving all administrative, technical, and financial obstacles, and all necessary cooperation will be extended. The legitimate demands, rehabilitation, and welfare-related issues of the affected farmers will be addressed on a priority basis; the farmers will not be left in the lurch. All concerned departments must work in unison to complete this project on schedule through coordination between the Municipal Corporation and the State Government. Simultaneously, effective steps will be taken to make water recycling and reuse mandatory for future water management.”
– Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, Maharashtra State.