PMC and World Bank officials met to discuss ₹1,290-crore water and flood mitigation projects. The plan covers water supply for 12 new villages and flood control across 304 spots. Mara Warwick said, "WBG could support cities through a suitable combination of financing and technical assistance." Officials also reviewed new sewage networks.
The delegation, led by Mara Warwick, regional practice director for water, IBRD, met municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and additional municipal commissioners Pavneet Kaur and Om Prakash Divate.
Discussions focused on two major proposals under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF): an ₹890-crore water supply project covering 12 newly merged villages and a ₹400-crore flood mitigation plan targeting 304 identified locations.
The water supply project is expected to benefit around four lakh people initially, with coverage projected to increase to 7.78 lakh by 2052. Officials said price discovery had been completed through the banking process at a competitive interest rate of 7.3%.
The flood mitigation plan includes nullah development, culvert construction and improvements to stormwater drainage. Sewerage proposals for the newly merged villages, comprising seven sewage treatment plants and approximately 357 km of sewer network, were also discussed.
Other priorities included reducing non-revenue water, improving distribution efficiency, promoting treated wastewater reuse and exploring a dedicated water and wastewater utility model.
Ram highlighted the infrastructure challenges arising from Pune’s expanding municipal limits and stressed the need for reliable civic services, effective drainage, timely project implementation and appropriate technologies. He also requested exposure visits for civic officers to study international best practices in water supply and urban service delivery.
Warwick emphasised the importance of city-level leadership, institutional capacity and sustainable financing in urban development. She said WBG could support cities through a suitable combination of financing and technical assistance. The visiting delegation appreciated PMC’s integrated approach to infrastructure planning.
The delegation also discussed improving revenue collection, mobilising commercial capital and strengthening governance and utility models to ensure the long-term sustainability of civic services.
Senior representatives from the IBRD and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), along with PMC’s engineering, water supply, roads and finance officials, attended the meeting.