Bhama Asakhed dam project: NCP to protest against BJP-led PMC, govt

Pune, Oct 4: A day after it was revealed that the irrigation department has allegedly created hurdles in drawing water from Bhama Asakhed dam to meet the needs of the residents of Nagar Road area in the city, the Opposition NCP today said it will launch an agitation against the ruling BJP in the Pune Municipal Corporation and the state government for not being able to resolve the issue. The civic administration, however, assured that it would urge the state government to resolve the issue with the irrigation department and reserve water for the city. NCP Corporator Mahendra Pathare said it was shocking to know that the irrigation department was creating hurdles for the Bhama Asakhed dam project. The PMC had started the work on the project to draw water through a closed pipeline and managed to continue with the work despite opposition from the villagers. The PMC should take up the issue with the state government and immediately sign an agreement to reserve water for the city in the dam, he added. "We would be holding a protest on Nagar Road tomorrow to push for our demand for water from Bhama Asakhed dam." Standing Committee Chairperson Murlidhar Mohol said he had discussed the issue with the civic administration. "I have been told by the civic administration that it would soon be urging the state government to waive the Rs 171 crore sought by the irrigation department, as compensation for the use of water meant for irrigation purposes," he added. UNI