Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra — It has been more than a decade since work first began on the Pavana closed water pipeline project, an initiative meant to bring direct, cleaner water from Pavana Dam to Pimpri-Chinchwad. But despite rising water demand, persistent pollution, and growing public pressure, the project remains largely uncompleted — with costs having soared and stakeholders still grappling with legal, political, and logistical roadblocks.
What’s the Project About
The pipeline aims to lay a closed pipeline (underground / enclosed conduit) from the Pavana Dam in Maval taluka to the water treatment facility (Nigdi / Ravet) in Pimpri-Chinchwad, avoiding open channels that allow contamination.
Initially, in 2008-09, the project was estimated to cost about ₹398-₹400 crore.
The plan included laying ~34-36 km of pipeline, of which only about 4-4.4 km had been completed when work was halted.
Why It Got Stalled
Protests & land acquisition issues: Farmers in Maval resisted, fearing loss of their share of water and land needed for the pipeline. In 2011, protests escalated, and three farmers were killed in police firing. This led to a stay on the project.
Legal / administrative hurdles: The stay, political opposition, and unresolved concerns around water shares, land acquisition, and environmental clearances all contributed.
Rising Costs, Growing Crisis
Over the years, the cost estimate has more than doubled — from ~₹400 crore to ~₹1,000-₹1,050 crore. The increase is largely due to inflation of materials (steel, iron), labour, machinery, and other input costs.
Meanwhile, residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad are facing acute water scarcity. Water supply is on alternate days in many areas, even though the Pavana Dam is a primary water source.
Pollution is also a growing concern — as water from the Dam travels through open channels / river stretches, it picks up sewage, industrial effluents, debris, runoff and even carcasses. This mandates expensive filtration & treatment once it arrives in the city.
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Recent Moves & What Remains to Be Done
Stay lifted: In September 2023, the Maharashtra state government officially lifted the stay imposed in 2011.
New Detailed Project Report (DPR): PCMC has drafted a revised DPR, which was reviewed and approved by IIT Bombay. The updated estimate is ~₹1,050 crore for the project.
Additional water expected: Once completed, the pipeline is projected to deliver an extra ~100 million litres per day (MLD) of water to the city, reducing dependence on open channel releases that suffer from evaporation, losses, and pollution.
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Challenges That Still Need Overcoming
Stakeholder resistance: Farmers and residents in Maval still have concerns over loss of water share, land acquisition compensation, environmental impacts. Local political leaders also play a role.
Funding & approvals: The project needs full funding from the state (and possibly central) governments. Also, completing necessary clearances and ensuring the new plan is technically sound.
Pollution control: Even with a closed pipeline, reducing upstream pollution in the Pavana river is essential, both for health and to reduce treatment costs. Courts / bodies like the National Green Tribunal have asked for investigations.
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