Pune : PMC starts new pipeline to Phursungi water scheme to reduce water wastage
PMC starts new pipeline to Phursungi water scheme to reduce water wastage(representational image)
The newly installed pipeline’s trials, which began from Cantonment Water Works and extended to Phursungi Water Scheme, have been concluded by the Pune Municipal Corporation(PMC). Water will be supplied through this pipeline every day.
Speaking to Pune Pulse, Nandkishor Jagtap, Chief Engineer, PMC Water Supply Department said, “The commissioning of the pipeline has been done. We have also informed the irrigation department to not provide water from the canal. The irrigation department was releasing around 172 MLD of water in the Mutha canal. It has been stopped as we are taking 12 MLD water through the new pipeline. This new pipeline was laid on December 21, 2023.”
About 22 MLD of water is received by the Phursungi water scheme. As per information, there was no direct pipeline from the Cantonment water works, so the PMC relied on the Mutha canal to supply this.
According to officials, the canal was pumping about 170 MLD of water to supply 22 MLD. The remaining 150 MLD will now be saved because they were being flown into the canal needlessly.
Pune could be facing a water crisis as a result of reduced dam water reserves. The irrigation department has asked PMC to reduce daily lifting from Khadakwasla dam in order to conserve as much water as possible. From this dam, PMC lifts more than 1,500 MLD of water.
Jitendra Tiwari, a resident of Handewadi said, “The pipeline laid at Bhekrai will provide water supply in the area. There is no other alternative. The Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) has the responsibility of the water scheme. PMC is doing work for only those areas where MJP hasn’t done the work.”
The irrigation department announced that PMC will no longer be lifting water from the canal, so it has closed the gates at the Cantonment Water Works.
According to an irrigation official, the PMC has operationalized the pipeline to Phursungi and has advised them to close the gates. In order to guarantee stock for requirements during the impending summer, they have urged the body to further reduce water usage.
Shreyas Vange
