water

PMC

SGI Studio Galli Ingegneria Spa

Bangalore

Kolhapur

Hyderabad

Civic activist

Jawaharlal Nehru

JNNRUM

S C N JATHAR

Round-the-clocksupply could soon be a reality for Pune, but at a price. The Pune Municipal Corporation (), having failed to garner a response from companies willing to run pilot projects of the scheme in some parts of the city, has now decided to go for the big guns and cover the entire city all at once. The civic body has suggested a 50 per cent hike in water taxes for the first year (2016-17) and a five per cent hike for every subsequent year till the project is completed in 2021.In 2013, PMC had planned the pilot project in five areas — Sahakarnagar, Rajas Society in Katraj, Viman Nagar, Bhavani Peth and Nagpur Chawl. Viman Nagar, Sahakarnagar and Bhavani Peth were supposed to be the initial testers, with 3,353 households coming under the scheme. PMC floated the tender five times, but in vain.Now, having run out of options and an escalating water crisis staring them in the face, civic officials have decided to go ahead and a proposal of Rs 3,312 crore to implement the project for the entire city. The proposed hike (residential) will be from Rs 900 to Rs 1,350 at the lower end and from Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,650 at the higher end. For commercial properties, the hike will be from Rs 700 to Rs 1,125 for the lower end and from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 at the higher end.PMC anticipated Rs 550 crore in revenue from the water tax hike, the state and central share of Rs 499 crore and the remaining Rs 2264 crore will be accommodated through loans.Having initiated the scheme in 2007, PMC had awarded, an Italian company, in November 2011 to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). The general body meeting approved the scheme, on May 22, 2015.PMC has also justified raising water taxes by comparing the taxes of Lonavala and Daund where basic rates are Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,600, respectively. While the civic body claims that the proposed rate of water (Rs 5.5 /kilolitre) is lower than Nagpur,and, they are higher than those charged in Delhi and Mumbai.Said V G Kulkarni, chief superintendent of the water supply department, “The administration had proposed the project for the entire city, but the general body wanted to run a pilot project first. We were floated the tender five times, but only three international companies (American, Italian and Israeli) showed interest. Now, we will float a tender for the entire city and hopefully more will come forward.”SCN Jathar, criticised both the administration and politicians, saying, “Pune is a pioneer in the 24x7 water project, but the administration and politicians have failed to implement it. The Pimpri- Chinchwad and Nagpur corporations have implemented the scheme in major parts of their jurisdiction. We must follow suit.”He added, “Most unauthorised constructions are getting water from illegal connections and politicians are often hand-in-glove with these builders. So, they introduce pilot project ideas to delay projects. The scheme was part of theNational Urban Renewal Mission (). Now, we have no choice as the corporation is unable to provide enough water due to illegal connections, leaks etc. A 24x7 water scheme will bring transparency in distribution.”█ The Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur corporations have implemented the scheme in major parts of their jurisdiction. We must follow suit