Pune is grappling with a severe water crisis, exacerbated by the encroachment on vital water canals behind the PL Deshpande Garden (Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden). This encroachment, attributed to soil filling, is causing a staggering loss of 40 lakh litres of water daily from the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) canals. The situation has escalated to a point where the structural integrity of the canals is at risk.
The affected canals, with diameters of 2500 mm and 3000 mm, transport water from the Khadakwasla Dam to the Parvati Water Purification Plant, with a daily intake of 1100 MLD. The encroachment involves filling the canal with soil up to a height of approximately 2.5 meters. This filling has led to significant water leakage due to increased pressure, which threatens to break the canal. The situation is compounded by activities being conducted under the guise of a ‘prominent’ figure.
The PMC has attempted to address the issue by removing the encroachment, but their efforts have been met with resistance from local residents. Despite the PMC’s attempts to clarify the necessity of the operation, opposition has led to the halting of their efforts. The PMC resumed removal work using a JCB yesterday, but faced significant pushback from the community. The risk posed by the canal’s potential rupture is severe, with consequences similar to those experienced during the Dandekar Bridge canal burst. Such an event could lead to extensive damage and exacerbate the city’s water scarcity issues. The head of the PMC’s water supply department emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that the encroachment is causing significant daily water loss and must be addressed promptly.
