New pipeline project’s fate hangs in balance.

Amid the change in the elected head of the state government, with Uddhav Thackeray replacing Devendra Fadnavis, the fate of the new pipeline project’s in the city is in question.

A section of BJP camp has said that the project may have a bleak future. They pointed to the latest Government Resolution (GR) that stays (till further orders) different civic and development works among others that have not received administrative approval. A local unit of Shiv Sena has expressed confidence that the project will see the light of the day in near future.

Known as parallel water pipeline, the project has a financial outlay of over Rs. 1,680 crore.

The project was approved by the state government on the before the recent assembly election.

Local BJP MLA Atul Save was credited for pursuing it.

A local BJP functionary said that the new pipeline project may end the fate of the earlier similar project, which was controversial due to the alleged vested interest and was subsequently scrapped after pressure from the public.

“The latest GR issued by the new government could be the first hurdle for the new parallel pipeline project. Even if the project manages to overcome it, there might be some vested interests like in the past,” he said, on the condition of anonymity.

City mayor Nandkumar Ghodele, said, “We will ensure that this project is executed as early as possible because it is the need of the hour. We will contact our party chief and chief minister in case any issues arises,” he said.

As a part of earlier project, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation had appointed a private firm to draw water from Jayakwadi dam and supply it to the city.

Besides laying down the pipeline, the firm was also asked to takeover the water supply in Aurangabad for 20 years, which was objected by many.

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) model of water supply was dubbed by a section of political leaders, activists and experts as privatisation of city’s public water scheme for personal gains, forcing the local civic body to call off the project.

The decision was subsequently challenged by the private firm in the court with matters pending before the arbitration , after reaching the Supreme Court.

TOI