Pune: Repair work on the leaking Temghar dam has come to a standstill due to a lack of government funding over the past two years. With the monsoon season underway, officials have indicated that repairs can only recommence in October, contingent on the necessary financial sanction from the government.
Temghar dam, which boasts a maximum storage capacity of 3.7 TMC, is a crucial water source for Pune, along with three other dams. Despite the urgency of the repair work, which saw over 90% of the leakages addressed, the completion of repairs remains in limbo. The irrigation department had submitted a Rs140 crore proposal for the remaining works, which is still awaiting government approval. The prolonged delay has sparked frustration among civic activists and residents, who are increasingly concerned about the city’s escalating water crisis. Vivek Velankar, a prominent activist, criticised the administration’s apparent lack of urgency in managing the dam’s water resources. “The city is already grappling with a severe water shortage due to mismanagement. Immediate action is needed to audit water usage and fix leaks in the distribution systems,” he asserted.
Residents of Khadakwasla, despite their proximity to the dam, continue to rely on water tankers. They have been part of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the past two years, yet there has been no significant improvement in their water supply. “PMC has exhausted its water quota. We have no clarity on how the administration plans to meet our water needs. In such a scenario, we cannot afford any leaks in the dams,” a Khadakwasla resident remarked.
An official from the irrigation department stated that the water seeping from Temghar dam is not wasted, as it flows into the Khadakwasla dam. “We have submitted all required documents to the state government for fund approval,” the official noted. Despite the pending repairs, the dam is reportedly fit to store water at full capacity during the monsoon, with plans to release water to Khadakwasla for further distribution. The situation has garnered the attention of Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, who have reviewed the repair proposal. As of Friday, Temghar’s water stock stood at 0.03 TMC, significantly below its capacity due to last year’s insufficient rainfall.
The dam, which had previously developed major cracks leading to significant water loss, was identified by the state government’s Dam Safety Organization as requiring urgent repairs. In 2016, water was leaking through the dam’s walls at a rate of 2,500 litres per second. Subsequent repairs reduced the leakage to 210 litres per second, but comprehensive repairs are still necessary. This ongoing issue underscores the critical need for timely financial interventions to safeguard Pune’s water infrastructure and ensure the city’s water security amidst growing urban demands and climatic uncertainties.
