Pune: ₹933 Crore Pending Dues Put City’s Water Supply at Risk; State Issues Warning of Possible Cut
Pune Division Reports Lowest Dam Water Storage In Maharashtra Ahead Of Monsoon
Pune, February 17, 2026: Pune may soon face a serious water crisis as the civic administration has failed to clear massive pending dues owed to the state’s irrigation authorities. The Water Resources Department has issued a strong warning to the Pune Municipal Corporation, stating that the city’s water supply could be suspended if outstanding payments of over ₹933 crore are not cleared immediately.
Pune has been officially sanctioned a water quota of 11.60 TMC for urban consumption. However, officials have confirmed that this quota is expected to be fully exhausted within the next 12–15 days. If payments are not made before the quota limit is reached, the department has indicated that water supply could be cut off without further notice.
According to official data, the civic body currently deposits only around ₹10 crore per month as water usage charges, while the accumulated arrears continue to rise. A similar notice demanding over ₹950 crore was also issued to the municipality last month.
Khadakwasla Project Under Pressure
Water for Pune is supplied from the Khadakwasla Project, where 11.60 TMC has been reserved for the city out of a total capacity of 29 TMC. After accounting for evaporation losses, the remaining water is primarily allocated for agricultural irrigation in rural areas.
However, officials revealed that during the 2024–25 financial year, the civic body exceeded its sanctioned quota by 8.84 TMC, violating regulatory limits. As per the rules of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, excess water usage attracts heavy penalties — 1.5 times the normal rate for 25% excess use, and three times the rate for higher overuse.
Records show that excess consumption has been ongoing since 2016, leading to continuous penalty charges. Despite partial payments of about ₹19.75 crore made for November and December, the total outstanding amount still stands at approximately ₹932.88 crore as of the end of February.
Imminent Risk of Supply Disruption
Officials confirmed that by 31 January, the civic body had already consumed 11.23 TMC, leaving only 0.36 TMC, which is expected to be used within the next 12 days. Once the sanctioned quota is fully exhausted, the municipality will no longer be legally permitted to draw water from the Khadakwasla system.
In a formal communication, the Water Resources Department has instructed the civic administration to immediately clear the pending amount and arrange alternative water sources. Failure to do so, officials warned, will result in immediate suspension of water supply.
Farmer Concerns Rising
The department also highlighted that excessive urban water usage is affecting irrigation supply, causing shortages for farmers. This has led to growing dissatisfaction among the farming community and public representatives, increasing pressure on authorities to act strictly.
