Pune may face alternate-day water supply after Diwali, with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reporting that only 7.15 TMC remains to meet the city’s requirements until June 2027. The proposed cuts follow the consumption of about 6.35 TMC from the 13.5 TMC allocated to the civic body since July 1.
The water-supply situation was discussed at a canal committee meeting chaired by deputy chief minister and Pune guardian minister Sunetra Pawar. Water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, agriculture minister Dattatray Bharane and senior civic officials were also present.
PMC additional commissioner Pavanit Kaur said the gap between Pune’s actual requirement and the available stock could make supply restrictions necessary. The civic administration may introduce an alternate-day schedule after Diwali, although a final decision has not yet been taken.
The proposed cuts will be discussed with the mayor and leaders of all political parties before the PMC finalises its response. The civic body will also have to prepare a distribution plan aimed at ensuring that supply is shared across the city during the remaining period.
Officials are dealing with uncertainty over the period covered by Pune’s water allocation. While around 13 TMC has been earmarked for the city, there is no clarity on whether the quota applies from November 1, 2026, or from July 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027. Officials said 6.35 TMC had already been used since July 1.
The usable stock is further constrained by a 10% buffer kept aside for emergency requirements. This means the entire remaining quantity cannot be treated as routinely available for daily distribution. The available water must last through the summer, when demand typically places greater pressure on municipal supply systems, while uncertainty over rainfall adds to the administration’s planning challenge.
The shortage could also affect municipal spending. Kaur indicated that the PMC may need to review or scale down some capital works if the water situation worsens. The report does not identify the specific projects that could be affected.
Opposition leaders criticised the allocation, alleging that Pune had been left with inadequate water and that the city’s legislators had not raised objections at the meeting. Their comments reflect the political dispute around the allocation, while the administration’s immediate task is to manage the remaining stock and determine how supply would be distributed.
Officials said reducing consumption, preventing leakages and securing public cooperation would be important to managing the remaining water. The PMC is expected to consult political representatives before announcing whether alternate-day supply will be implemented after Diwali.
