The Rs 842-crore Ujani-Solapur parallel water pipeline project has entered the trial phase following the completion of major infrastructural work. The new project will supply water directly from the Ujani Dam through dual parallel pipelines, reducing wastage and improving efficiency.

Solapur is included under the Smart City project, through which Central funds were sanctioned. Additional funding comes from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), the state government, and the Solapur Municipal Corporation, which holds a 30 percent financial share.

Technical officer Vyankatesh Choube stated, “The infrastructural works are complete. The trials have started, which will soon be completed, and the water supply project will be commissioned.” Principal Secretary of Urban Development Asim Gupta is scheduled to visit the site and will announce the inauguration date after a project review. A 60 MLD water treatment plant will complement the pipeline’s 170 MLD capacity.

Solapur city, home to 12 lakh people, primarily relies on the Ujani Dam, located 80 km away, and the Hipparga barrage for its water supply. Currently, water is released into the Bhima river and pumped to the city, but this method results in a 30–40 percent water loss due to percolation and irrigation use.