Pune: The ₹2,000 crore uniform water distribution project launched by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in 2017 to provide equitable water supply across the city has completed 75% of its work.

However, the project has faced delays due to challenges in obtaining timely approvals from traffic police and other governmental bodies. With the project deadline set for December 2024, the PMC has expressed concerns that further delays could push back the completion date.

The PMC initiated the project with a budget of ₹1,973 crore, dividing the city into five packages, each with separate tenders for the work.

Four of the packages—one, two, three, and five—are being handled by a single contractor, while a different contractor has been appointed for package four.

As of now, 85% of the work for packages one, two, three, and five has been completed, while package four is only 30% complete.

The project involves laying 1,200 kilometers of water pipelines across the city, of which 950 kilometers have already been installed. Additionally, 87 kilometers of the planned 103 kilometers of the main distribution system have been completed.

However, due to narrow roads and traffic congestion in various parts of Pune, the traffic police have been slow in granting permissions for the necessary excavation work, further delaying the project.

In addition to laying pipelines, the project includes the installation of water meters for each household connection. Out of the planned 2.82 lakh water meters, 1.64 lakh have already been installed, leaving 1.18 lakh yet to be installed.

Despite efforts by the water supply department to speed up the process by increasing manpower, the pace of meter installation has not significantly improved.

Before the city came under administrative rule, from 2017 to 2022, only 45.11% of the work had been completed. However, since 2022, the project has progressed more rapidly, with 40% of the work being completed in the administrative period.

According to Shrikant Vaydande, executive engineer for the water supply project, if approvals are granted on time, the project can be completed by the December 2024 deadline. Otherwise, an extension will be required.

Key project details include the construction of 82 water tanks, of which 60 have been completed, and the installation of 1,200 kilometers of water pipelines, of which 950 kilometers have been laid.

The project’s overall completion stands at 75%, with the remaining work expected to be completed by the end of 2024, pending necessary approvals.