Water released from the Bhama Askhed dam has reached the Vadhu bundhara in Pune district, offering relief to villages along the Bhima river and creating the possibility of restoring water supply schemes serving Wagholi and nearby areas. The release followed a sustained demand for water after declining storage in the riverbed disrupted drinking-water availability.
The water was released from Bhama Askhed dam at a discharge rate of 2,000 cusecs and reached the Vadhu bundhara at full capacity, according to a report by Sakal – Pune. The development is expected to help revive regional and local water-supply schemes serving villages including Vadhu, Perne, Lonikand, Kesnand, Koregaon Bhima, Dongargaon, Burkegaon, Pimpri Sandas and Sangavi.
Wagholi and its surrounding areas had also been affected as the reduction in the Bhima river’s water storage put pressure on drinking-water systems. The disruption had become a serious concern for residents in the Wagholi area, where supply depends partly on water drawn through schemes linked to the river.
The release was pursued by Mauli Katke, the legislator representing the Shirur-Haveli constituency, who sought intervention from the concerned authorities to address the shortage. Katke said the arrival of water at Vadhu bundhara would provide significant assistance in restoring Wagholi’s water supply and reducing the shortage faced by villages along the river.
The decision is expected to benefit around 100,000 residents in Wagholi and surrounding areas. However, the return of supply to full capacity will depend on technical processes and the planning of available water, according to the report. The arrival of water at the bundhara does not by itself establish that every affected locality has already received normal household supply.
The immediate issue reflects the dependence of several settlements on linked river-based supply systems. When storage in the Bhima riverbed fell, the impact extended beyond individual villages to regional and local schemes serving a rapidly urbanising area around Wagholi. The affected locations include both established villages and settlements experiencing continued residential growth.
Katke appealed to residents in Shirur-Haveli to use water carefully and avoid wastage while the situation remains constrained. He said sustained efforts were being made to ensure that people do not have to struggle for drinking water and that the water release would help address the shortage along the Bhima river.
The next step is to complete the technical processes required to restart or strengthen the affected water-supply schemes and plan distribution based on the water available at Vadhu bundhara. Authorities and residents will also need to monitor whether supply returns across the affected villages and the Wagholi area as expected.
