Ajit Pawar Announces ₹500 Crore Water Purification Project After GBS Outbreak In Pune Merged Villages
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Falls Ill, Cancels All Events
Pune: Following the outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in six villages of Pune, Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar has announced the construction of a water purification plant to ensure a clean water supply. The project is estimated to cost ₹500 crore, with the state government and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) each covering 50% of the expenses.
Pawar chaired meetings of the planning committees for five districts in western Maharashtra. During the Pune District Planning Committee meeting, the GBS outbreak in villages along Sinhagad Road was discussed. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Pawar revealed that a proposal to set up water purification plants in these villages was earlier submitted under the central government’s AMRUT scheme but was not approved. Hence, the state government will now fund the project.
The responsibility of supplying clean water to these newly included villages lies with both the state government and PMC. The estimated cost of ₹500 crore will be split, with ₹250 crore funded by the state government and ₹250 crore by PMC.
1,000 New Buses for PMPML
Ajit Pawar also announced that Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will receive 1,000 new buses, addressing issues caused by its aging fleet. The project requires ₹500 crore, with Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) contributing ₹250 crore, PMC ₹150 crore, and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation ₹100 crore. While the initial plan was to procure e-buses, delays in their availability have led to a decision to acquire CNG buses instead.
