Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has encountered resistance in its efforts to remove an encroachment on a crucial water pipeline located behind the P. L. Deshpande Garden.
The encroachment, created by piling soil on top of the pipeline, has led to a significant water leak, with approximately 4 million liters of water being wasted daily. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for a major accident if the pipeline were to burst.
The encroachment involves the raising of land by two to two-and-a-half meters over the pipeline, with activities being conducted in the name of a notable personality at the site.
Two large water pipelines, with diameters of 2500 mm and 3000 mm, transport water from the Khadakwasla Dam to the Parvati Water Purification Center, supplying the city with 1100 million liters of water per day. The pressure exerted by the soil on the pipeline has caused a persistent leak for several months.
Despite multiple attempts by the PMC to address the issue and remove the encroachment, local residents have resisted these efforts. The Municipal Corporation initiated action using a JCB machine to clear the encroachment. However, due to strong opposition from locals, the operation was halted.
Municipal officials attempted to explain the urgency of the situation to the residents, emphasizing the need to remove the encroachment to prevent a potentially disastrous pipeline rupture.
Nandkishor Jagtap, head of the water supply department, expressed the seriousness of the situation: "The encroachment on the pipeline has led to a daily loss of 4 million liters of water. The capacity of these pipelines is comparable to that of the Khadakwasla canal. If the pipeline were to burst, it could result in a disaster similar to a canal breach at Dandekar Bridge, causing significant damage. Therefore, the removal of this encroachment is crucial."
The PMC is now looking to resolve the issue through dialogue with the local residents to prevent further delays in addressing this critical infrastructure problem.