High Court Orders State Intervention for Critical Funding of Water Pipeline Project Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Aurangabad

Water Pipeline Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Aurangabad – The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has instructed the chief minister to find a solution and take steps to allocate Rs 822.22 crore in the state government’s behalf for the water supply project. Water Pipeline Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar NEWS

Short Read: The Bombay High Court instructs the chief minister to secure Rs 822.22 crore for the water supply project in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Aurangabad, emphasizing state responsibility and expressing concerns over citizens’ prolonged water scarcity.

Join Aurangabad Samachar Whats App Channel to get regular news

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court, presided over by Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Y G Khobragade, has instructed the chief minister to personally find a solution and take steps to allocate Rs 822.22 crore (30 percent of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Aurangabad Municipal Corporation’s share) in the state government’s behalf for the water supply project.

The court has ordered the state to release the funds and later recover them from the CSMC over 10-20 years or through installments determined by the government. The next hearing on the public interest litigation (PIL) is scheduled for February 13.

Water Pipeline Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Aurangabad

In its directive to the chief government pleader, the bench has mandated discussions with the principal secretary of the Chief Minister and Urban Development Department (UDD) to inform them about the High Court‘s order from July 13, 2023, regarding the fund. The court emphasized the CSMC’s inability to raise its 30 percent share in the new water supply scheme.

Expressing concerns, the bench emphasized the importance of avoiding a situation similar to the parallel pipeline project, which has left citizens without regular water for the past two decades. The court specifically highlighted that water supply occurs only every 6-7 days in the city.

The revised cost of the water project is Rs 2740 crore, with 25 percent (Rs 685.19 crore) released by the Central Government and 45 percent (Rs 1233.34 crore) released by the State Government. Despite 55 percent of the work being physically completed, the CSMC cannot bear the financial burden of Rs 822.22 crore. The municipal commissioner has previously urged the principal secretary to consider it a special case and allocate funds to the municipal corporation, as ordered by the bench on July 13, 2023.

Water Pipeline Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Aurangabad

Despite this, the UDD desk officer, Gajanan Alewad, issued a letter on January 9, 2024, stating that the government would not grant aid and suggested raising the share through funds from the 15th finance commission and self-generated income. The letter also emphasized ensuring the progress of the water project is not affected.

Join Aurangabad Samachar Whats App Channel to get regular news

Check related post 

Subscribe to Aurangabad Samachar newsletter

Subscribe to Notifications