Pune: PMC Rejects Water Dues, Disputes Irrigation Department’s Notice
Pune: PMC Rejects Water Dues, Disputes Irrigation Department’s Notice
Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has firmly refused to pay the pending water dues demanded by the Irrigation Department, arguing that the charges levied are incorrect. While PMC has agreed to pay its regular water bill of ₹160 crore, it has challenged the ₹726 crore outstanding amount, citing unjustified industrial water rates despite the city’s non-industrial usage.
PMC receives water supply from the Khadakwasla Dam Chain and Bhama Askhed Dam. Due to the city’s rapid expansion and growing population, the civic body has been using more water than its allocated quota. This has led to repeated disputes between PMC and the Irrigation Department over billing methods. Every year, the Irrigation Department issues notices claiming massive arrears and threatens to cut off the water supply unless the dues are paid.
This year, the department warned of stopping Pune’s water supply from February 25 unless the outstanding amount was cleared. PMC, however, has countered that the billing calculations are flawed and has already appealed to the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA). The matter remains pending for a hearing, making the threat of supply disruption unfair to citizens, according to PMC officials.
PMC Water Supply Chief Nandkishor Jagtap while speaking to Pune Pulse stated, “The Irrigation Department is wrongly applying industrial water rates to municipal usage. The ₹726 crore bill is incorrect, and we have approached the MWRRA for resolution. Meanwhile, PMC will pay the legitimate ₹160 crore as per standard rates.”
PMC officials argue that penalties for sewage discharge, misclassified water usage, and overuse calculations have inflated the dues. Until a regulatory decision is made, PMC maintains that the Irrigation Department’s demand is unreasonable and should not impact the city’s water supply.
