Shruti Suman
Following Bengaluru, Pimpri Chinchwad in Pune is now grappling with a water crisis as reservoir levels plummet, prompting concerns among residents. The situation has worsened over the past month, with the city receiving less than 30 million litres per day (MLD) despite efforts to source 100 MLD from the Andhra Dam. Areas like Charholi, Moshi, Dudulgaon, Bhosari, and Dighi are particularly affected.
To tackle this, officials from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the Water Supply Department convened an online meeting with the Irrigation Department of the Government of Maharashtra. Despite receiving water from various sources like the Pavana Dam (510 MLD), Andhra Dam (75 MLD), and MIDC (20 MLD) for the past four and a half years, a recent decrease in supply from the Andhra Dam, from 40-45 MLD to less than 30 MLD, has led to a 30 MLD deficit, causing complaints of inadequate and low-pressure water supply.
Efforts by Pune Municipal Corporation to address the issue by engaging with the Water Resources Department have yet to yield results. Meanwhile, residents in Pune are anxious about the shortfall in meeting their water needs. Authorities state that water release follows a set quota, but concerns persist regarding potential excessive release into the Indrayani River.
To mitigate the crisis, the Municipal Corporation has initiated a new measure, reducing water intake from MIDC to 30 MLD from the previous 35 MLD due to the shortage from the Andhra Dam. Shrikant Sawane, Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Department, emphasized that while there’s a reserve of 100 MLD water from the Andhra Dam, ongoing discussions with Water Resources Department officials are necessary due to reduced flow in the Indrayani River.
