PCMC Infrastructure: PCMC To Purchase Water Meters Worth Rs 2.80 Crore

PUNE: The water supply department of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will purchase 14,172 water meters at a cost of Rs 2.80 crore.
Pravin Tupe, joint city engineer, PCMC said, “These water meters are being purchased for the beneficiaries of the free water meter scheme and the residents who have been given or will be given new water connections.”
The PCMC had decided to install free meters for all water connections as part of its commitment under the union government’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JNNURM) scheme. The water supply department hopes to reduce water loss and recover the expenses incurred on supplying drinking water to the residents. A total of 1.12 lakh water meters have been installed for free till date.
Some people, in spite of repeated reminders, had failed to get the free water meters installed. The PCMC had directed such people to apply for free water meters till July 31, failing which they have to pay double the flat water tax of Rs 1404 for 2009-10 and thrice the water tax for 2010-11.
An official from the water supply department said, “The PCMC received 1682 applications under this scheme. Scrutiny of these applications was conducted and 1,500 of them were found to be eligible for the scheme.”
Meanwhile, a proposal will be tabled at the standing committee meeting on September 14 seeking approval to purchase the water meters.