Pune’s water crisis is set to continue after the canal advisory committee allocated 13 TMC of water to the city from the Khadakwasla dam chain for the next 10 months, with state officials saying water restrictions will be necessary. The Pune Municipal Corporation will decide the extent of the cuts after a meeting of its officials expected within two days.
The allocation was approved at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Pune guardian minister Sunetra Pawar on Thursday, October 29, after the meeting had been delayed by the model code of conduct for the Legislative Council elections. The review covered the available water stock, supplies for cities and requirements for agriculture.
The 13 TMC allocation is lower than the quantity sought by the municipal corporation. Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said the city would have to plan its consumption within the available allocation and that restrictions could not be avoided. The municipal corporation, he said, would determine how extensive the cuts would be.
The planning period will run until August 31 next year, with drinking water receiving the highest priority. The authorities will also have to account for the requirements of urban and rural areas, irrigation, livestock and fodder, according to Pawar’s statements after the meeting. The state also plans to keep 10% of the reservoir water stock reserved.
The decision comes amid concerns over a possible drought situation and the reported influence of El Niño. Officials have called for more careful water use and public awareness measures. Pawar directed the municipal corporation to establish separate control rooms in each of its ward offices to monitor water planning and implementation.
The allocation affects the wider Pune urban region’s water management, with Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation also asked to plan its consumption carefully. The state government said the available water from the Khadakwasla system should be distributed transparently between urban and rural requirements and that the municipal corporations and the Water Resources Department would need to coordinate the implementation.
The committee also reviewed water rotations for rabi-season crops and issued directions regarding summer rotations. Pawar said another meeting of the canal advisory committee could be held in January, depending on the situation. The immediate decision before the Pune civic administration is to determine how the reduced allocation will translate into supply restrictions for residents and other urban users.
Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said a meeting of municipal officials would be held within two days to discuss the cuts and possible restrictions on water use. She said residents had cooperated with the municipal corporation in the past and appealed for continued cooperation as the administration finalises its plan.
