Jaikwadi jackwell to shut for two months; Sambhajinagar to lay alternative pipeline link

The jackwell at Jayakwadi dam, built for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's new drinking water scheme, will have to be kept shut for about two months. Silt could enter the jackwell while work on the approach channel is under way. To keep the city's water supply from being affected in the meantime, the municipal corporation has prepared to connect an alternative pipeline.

The new scheme is meant to give the city 100 million litres more water. For this, an approach channel bringing water to the main jackwell at Jayakwadi dam has to be built.

The Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran will take up the work of breaking the cofferdam for the channel. Officials of the Pradhikaran (MJP) have said that once the work begins, silt from the dam could flow straight into the jackwell. If that happens, removing the silt from the well and restarting it could take at least two months.

In view of this, two connection works will be carried out on Paithan Road near the Sant Eknath sugar factory. A 900 mm line will be connected to the 2,500 mm diameter main pipeline there, and a 700 mm line to the 900 mm line. The 900 mm DI pipeline will join the 2,500 mm MS pipeline, while the 700 mm CI pipeline will be connected to the 900 mm DI pipeline.

The general body has approved an estimate of Rs 1 crore 28 lakh 44 thousand 339 for the work. Other works will also be done, including connecting a manifold pipe at the pumphouse of the 56 million litre scheme at Jayakwadi. Mayor Sameer Rajurkar and Commissioner Amol Yedge had asked the house to approve the proposal, after which the house passed the estimate unanimously.

On June 10, engineers of the municipal corporation and the MJP held a joint review meeting at the main jackwell at Jayakwadi. There, breaking the cofferdam and starting work on the approach channel was discussed as a solution to the technical difficulties. However, if the jackwell has to be kept shut because of this work, it will not be possible to draw the additional water from the new scheme continuously. This is feared to affect the city's water supply.