PCMC aims to finish Bhama Askhed project by January 2027, 167 MLD more water for Pimpri-Chinchwad

Residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad may get some relief from the water shortage in the new year. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) wants to complete the Bhama Askhed water supply project by the end of January 2027. The project is expected to give the city an additional 167 million litres a day (MLD). The deadline, however, will depend on the completion of the remaining work and the testing that follows.

The city currently has a 10 per cent cut in water supply, and water is being provided on alternate days. Supply is also low and irregular in many areas, adding to residents' difficulties. Civic officials say the additional water from Bhama Askhed will reduce pressure on the existing system and help improve supply across the city.

PCMC Chief Engineer Pramod Ombhase said, "After the new contractor was appointed, the work has picked up pace. Construction is going on at speed and the project is being reviewed regularly. We are planning to complete the work on schedule, that is by January 2027, and will actually test the water in February 2027."

Pimpri-Chinchwad has grown rapidly as an industrial and residential centre. As population rose and urbanisation spread in Wakad, Tathawade, Punawale, Ravet, Kiwale, Chikhli, Moshi and other newly included areas, the demand for water also grew. The city currently depends mainly on water from the Pavana and Andra dams. This supply is not enough for the demand, so the administration has had to continue with a 10 per cent cut and alternate-day supply. Against this background, the Bhama Askhed project was designed to add to the city's water sources.

Balancing the available water stock with rising demand remains a challenge for the administration. Residents in many neighbourhoods complain of low water and low pressure, and repeatedly demand more regular and adequate supply. All eyes are therefore on the addition of 167 MLD from Bhama Askhed. If the project is completed on time, pressure on the existing network could ease and the administration could review the current restrictions. Even so, how much relief comes will depend on the completion of the project and the distribution of the additional water.

According to project information, water from the Pavana and Andra dams is drawn from the river because there is no separate pipeline. Under the Bhama Askhed scheme, a closed pipeline system will be used for the first time to bring this additional water to the city. Once operational, the 167 MLD will be treated at the water treatment plant in Chikhli and then supplied to the city.

According to the municipal administration, work on the jackwell, the water treatment plant and the main pipelines has reached its final stage. The target is to finish all work by the end of January 2027. Actual water supply is planned to begin in February after the project is completed. The additional 167 MLD is expected to reduce the city's water shortage, but how much it will affect the current supply schedule remains to be seen.

Raw water from Bhama Askhed will be carried to the Chikhli water treatment plant for processing. The treated water will be distributed to Chikhli, Moshi, Dighi, Bhosari and surrounding areas. These areas are expected to benefit from the additional supply. The project is also expected to reduce pressure on supply from the Pavana dam, which could improve distribution in the rest of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Ombhase said, "The Bhama Askhed project was delayed because of some technical and land acquisition problems. But these obstacles have now been removed and the pace of work has increased. The project will be completed by the end of January 2027 at any cost and dedicated to public service. In the new year, the gaps in the city's water supply will be removed and people will get adequate water."