Maharashtra CM commissions 15-km long water tunnel

In a significant upgrade to Mumbai's water supply system, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today commissioned a 15-km long water tunnel, touted as the country's biggest in terms of capacity, from Gundavali in Thane to Bhandup water complex here.
The tunnel has has been constructed to phase out above-the-ground British-era pipelines carrying water from Vaitarna, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna and Tansa reservoirs to Bhandup water treatment plant, besides reducing losses due to leakages and tampering.
Fadnavis was accompanied by ally Shiv Sena's chief Uddhav Thackeray during the programme.
Terming the commissioning of tunnel as a historical achievement, Fadnavis said, "This project deserves to find place in the history books as it will ensure seamless water supply in next 100 years."

The Chief Minister assured Thackeray that projects which are for benefit of Mumbaikars will be given priority by the state government.
"The projects belonging to Mumbai city will be given top priority," said Fadnavis in response to an appeal made by the Sena president to push projects in Mumbai.

"We have started a war room in Mumbai for proper coordination with 17 odd agencies belonging jointly to the state and central government. This room is providing one-window system for agencies," said the Chief Minister.
Fadnavis emphasised on sustainability of services and qualities that Mumbai civic body provides to it's residents and that his government was focusing on urban governance.

"In the last 10-15 years, government failed to come up with infrastructure and roadmap matching with urban influx. But our government is focused on it (urban governance)," said the Chief Minister.
The water tunnel project which began in 2009, was constructed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, in two phases with a cost of Rs 2800 crore.
The tunnel of 5.5 meters diameter from Gundavali to Kapurbawdi and Kapurbawdi to Bhandup complex has a capacity to carry 4,000 million litres of water daily which includes provisions for existing supply and supply from proposed Gargai and Pinjal dams in future.