20 October,2011 09:03 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
PCMC signs MoU with French-based environmental group to resolve leakage problem, and improve water supply in industrial township
On the occasion of its 27th anniversary, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has undertaken an important project. It will introduce Helium Gas Detection Method, a renowned technology introduced by France-based Suez Environment, which will improve existing water supply in the industrial township of Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The french connection: (From left) Dr Jacques Manem, CEO, Suez
Environment Water Services, Ashish Sharma, civic chief, PCMC, Charles
Chaumin, president, Suez Environnement Asia and Mayor Yogesh Behl
during the lamp lighting ceremony
The PCMC officially signed an MoU with the company and French government on its anniversary day yesterday. The Rs 6.3 crore worth project will be supported by French bilateral funding. Earlier, a three-day feasibility survey was conducted by Suez technicians. Charles Chaumin, chief executive officer and president, Suez Environment Asia, has ensured the PCMC positive results would be seen in the next six months. Chaumin said the methodology could be transferred to the PCMC for sustainable, safe and efficient water supply in the future, he said.
Mayor Yogesh Behl, however, was apprehensive about how political parties would respond to the project.
"We may face a heated debate in the general body meeting today," he said. None of the politicians from BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress or MNS, were present for the inauguration function. Ashish Sharma, municipal commissioner, PCMC, said, the civic body had not spent a single rupee for this pilot project ever since it was initiated. "We are positive about the success of the project and can give a proper vision plan for the coming decades," he said.
Ministry of Urban Development and Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India along with the French Government had already given their consent for this initiative," he said. Maruti Bhapkar, independent member in the PCMC house, said the opposition parties would not object to this project if it created problems for the citizens. "There should not be any deterioration in the present water supply system in Pimpri-Chinchwad," he said. Pravin Ladkat, head of water supply, was confident about the success of the project. "We are introducing a 24x7 water supply on an experimental basis in a part of the industrial township. We have enough quantum of water and it can by saved by this method more effectively," he said.
