Rural areas in Pune district are confronting an unparalleled drinking water crisis, marking the most severe shortage witnessed in the past five years.
With water supplies dwindling and natural sources depleting rapidly, villages are grappling with unprecedented challenges to meet their basic water needs. Officials from the Zilla Parishad expressed grave concern over the severity of the situation, highlighting the pressing need to address the crisis promptly. Currently, 289 tankers are deployed daily to serve 197 villages across 11 tehsils, providing a lifeline to approximately 4.2 lakh residents. “The district is facing an acute water crisis, necessitating the highest number of tankers deployed in recent years to ensure access to safe drinking water,” remarked an official from the Zilla Parishad. The gravity of the situation underscores the urgency of completing proposed water schemes, particularly in remote and tribal areas.
Despite efforts to expedite water projects under initiatives such as the ‘Har Ghar Jal Jeevan Mission Nal Yojana’, challenges persist in meeting deadlines due to logistical complexities and resource constraints. The completion of 1,239 water schemes by December 2024 remains a priority, but officials acknowledge the formidable task ahead. Critics lament the lack of comprehensive water conservation programmes at the micro-level, emphasizing the need for a scientific approach to address the root causes of water scarcity. With Purandar emerging as one of the worst-hit tehsils, experts urge concerted efforts to enhance water table levels and implement sustainable conservation measures. As the water crisis deepens, stakeholders call for proactive measures from the district administration, urging a holistic approach towards water management and conservation. Failure to address these pressing concerns could exacerbate the situation, posing significant challenges to the region’s agricultural and socio-economic landscape.
