Pune Metro construction has triggered recurring damage to water pipelines in Pimpri Chinchwad, prompting the civic corporation to approach senior Maha Metro officials for better coordination before excavation and other works are carried out.
The latest incident occurred at Nigdi on Wednesday, when a major pipeline was damaged during construction for the Pune Metro’s PCMC-Nigdi extension. A large quantity of water flowed onto the old Pune-Mumbai highway, flooding the road connecting Nigdi and Pimpri and inconveniencing commuters, according to residents and civic officials.
A senior PCMC official said the incident was the third or fourth such case reported in the past few months. The civic body has decided to write to senior Maha Metro officials, seeking a permanent solution and coordination between Metro and municipal departments before construction activity begins near existing utility lines.
“There needs to be proper coordination between Metro and civic departments before excavation and other construction work is undertaken to prevent damage to existing utility lines,” the official said.
The incident has added pressure on the city’s water-supply administration. PCMC provides water to residents on alternate days, and residents said pipeline failures during construction compound difficulties for households already managing an intermittent supply. Vikas Patil, a Nigdi resident, said the wastage was particularly concerning as Maharashtra faces a drought-like situation and government agencies are asking citizens to conserve water.
The damaged pipeline was isolated on priority by PCMC’s water-supply department. Although most staff members were on Diwali holiday, additional personnel were mobilised at short notice and worked through the night. A civic official said repairs took around eight to nine hours and that alternative arrangements were made to ensure routine water supply to residents was not affected.
A senior Maha Metro official said the contractor had been instructed to take adequate precautions to prevent such incidents. Contractors have also been directed to carry out repairs immediately to minimise inconvenience, the official said.
The pipeline damage occurred during work on the 4.413-km extension of Pune Metro’s north-south corridor from PCMC to Nigdi, also known as Bhakti Shakti. The elevated extension is planned with four stations. Maha Metro is constructing 153 piers for the viaduct, of which 138 have been completed. Work on 143 of the 153 open foundations and pile caps has also been completed, while 1,175 of the 1,329 segments required for the viaduct have been cast.
The project is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2027. PCMC’s proposed communication with Maha Metro is expected to focus on preventing further damage to existing municipal utility lines as construction progresses and on ensuring quicker restoration when incidents occur.
