Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
A crucial 2,500 mm diameter water pipeline, part of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city water supply scheme, is laid underground along 34 km of road from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Paithan. To accommodate this massive pipeline, 10 meters of space from the existing four-lane road must be allocated, covering older pipelines of 700 mm, 900 mm, 1200 mm, and the new 2,500 mm line.
To expand one side of the road, the project requires a total of Rs 507 crore, including Rs 307 crore for land acquisition and Rs 200 crore for road construction. However, due to delays in arranging this large amount, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday instructed officials to proceed with a temporary solution: carry out barricading work worth Rs 15.19 crore to enable the timely completion of the water supply project.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during a review of selected key development projects across Maharashtra held from the War Room in Mumbai, emphasized the need for expediting the Rs 2,740 crore water supply project for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Fadnavis instructed to complete the water supply project on priority and ensure adequate and timely water for city residents. Take immediate short-term safety measures to protect the main pipeline running beneath the Paithan Road, as it is critical infrastructure. To enable this, Rs 15 crore should be transferred to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for necessary barricading and related temporary works.
This directive comes amid ongoing work on the massive 2,500 mm diameter water pipeline, crucial for addressing the city’s water scarcity.
The meeting was attended online by Divisional Commissioner Dilip Gawade, District Collector Deelip Swami, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) officers. MJP officials presented the current progress and updates on the water project. Responding to this, the CM stressed to complete the pending work speedily and make water available to the citizens without delay.”
The CM also instructed regarding the potential threat due to heavy vehicular traffic to the pipeline. Hence, he said, wherever the pipeline runs beneath the road, those specific stretches will be closed to traffic and secured using metal beam barricades. For implementing these short-term protective measures, CM Fadnavis has directed that the ₹15 crore allocated by MJP be immediately transferred to the NHAI.
Future of road expansion and land acquisition hinges on follow-up
In the new land acquisition proposal, a bypass is planned through villages like Dhorkin, Bidkin, and Gevrai Tanda. The total financial requirement for the purpose is Rs 307 crore from the state government and Rs 200 crore expected from the central government.
“The success of this road-widening and acquisition plan now depends on how effectively it is pursued with the concerned authorities.
The main water pipeline under Paithan Road necessitates barricading and traffic closure on one lane to prevent damage from heavy vehicles. This will cause road narrowing, making widening essential. To accommodate this, a proposal was submitted last month to acquire 15-meter-wide land along the 39 km stretch, costing Rs 307 crore. Hence, the CM instructed NHAI to pursue the proposal ata higher level.