Pune: PMC’s standing committee on Friday approved a Rs135-crore water scheme for Keshavnagar (Mundhwa), aimed at improving the water supply network in the newly-merged villages.The project includes installation of a 6.19 km main pipeline with diametres ranging from 200 mm to 800 mm, a high-capacity 600 kW pumping system, and an extensive 71.50 km distribution network. To ensure consistent pressure, the plan also features construction of six overhead water tanks, each with a capacity between 2.5 and 3.5 million litres (ML).”This initiative is a critical step in addressing the water crisis in these merged areas. It will provide long-term relief to citizens and phase out expensive dependency on tankers,” said Shrinath Bhimale, the chairman of the standing committee.Under the current proposal, the PMC will allocate funds in phases over the next three financial years (2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29). Civic officials said that while existing funds had been diverted to other merged villages, a dedicated provision for Keshavnagar was essential. To formalise this long-term expenditure, the project now awaits final approval from the general body under Section 72(B) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949.“The network has been designed with future population growth in mind to ensure the infrastructure remains robust for decades,” a senior official from the PMC’s water supply department added.The standing committee also sanctioned Rs1.79 crore for a new residential hostel dedicated to tribal and socially underprivileged students. The project, which saw a total budgetary provision of Rs3 crore, was finalised after a competitive tendering process. Additionally, the committee cleared funds for various development and renovation works at the Gadikhana Hospital in Kasba Peth.
