Nagpur: A state-level technical committee has approved a ₹94.45-crore augmented water supply scheme for Saoner, paving the way for a major overhaul of the town’s ageing drinking water infrastructure under the AMRUT 2.0 programme.The committee, at its meeting on July 3, recommended the project for administrative approval. Minutes of the meeting were issued by the Urban Development Department on July 9. The proposal follows representations by MLA Ashish Deshmukh with the Urban Development Department, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran and other govt agencies.Saoner, with a population of nearly 50,000, currently relies on nearly 40 years ago schemes to draw water from the Kolar (Junewani) and Kanhan rivers. As per the proposal, the existing infrastructure, has come under increasing strain due to population growth.The new project proposes sourcing water from Kochchi Dam and includes the construction of a transmission pipeline, three overhead water reservoirs, a water filtration plant and allied infrastructure.“The drinking water issue of Saoner has always been a matter of utmost importance. I have consistently pursued this project with the govt to ensure safe and adequate drinking water for the citizens,” Deshmukh said. He added that the scheme “will meet Saoner’s drinking water requirement for the next 50 years” and pledged to pursue early completion of the remaining formalities so that work could begin at the earliest.The committee’s approval is subject to compliance with several technical and administrative conditions, including confirmation of water reservation, statutory clearances, provision of the required local contribution, verification of land ownership in the name of the Saoner Municipal Council and adherence to technical norms prescribed by the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran. It also stipulated that any cost escalation resulting from delays beyond the scheme’s prescribed timeline would have to be borne by the urban local body.The President, Vice-President and ward members of the Saoner Municipal Council welcomed the approval and thanked Dr. Deshmukh for pursuing the project.
