Resolve water issues between PMC and Irrigation Dept Over Water Supply To Pune 

By: Pune Pulse

October 20, 2023

Pune: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has requested the state government to intervene and resolve the water dispute between the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) & Irrigation Department for continuous water supply to Punekars from Khadakwasla & other dams.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Vijay Kumbhar, Vice President, AAP Maharashtra said, “The Irrigation Department decides everything about the water supply to Pune city. However, providing seamless & hassle-free water supply, especially to the newly included 34 villages under PMC hasn’t happened. Hence, I had written to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra & others about intervening in the matter of resolving water-related disputes between the PMC & Irrigation Department for every Pune citizen to get continuous water supply every day.”

As per further information from Vijay Kumbhar’s letter, between the Irrigation Department and PMC of Pune City, there is a dispute over the water quota. But in the dispute between these two, Pune people in 34 villages are suffering and are also deprived of water supply.

The PMC had complained that the water budget of the PMC for the year 2023-24 was approved by the Irrigation Department in a wrong manner. Accordingly, the Irrigation Department released 1.75 TMC from Khadakwasla Dam for 34 villages included in the water budget. Water quota and an additional 0.48 TMC, a total of 2.234 TMC. Therefore, the water quota of the PMC for Khadakwasla Dam is 11.6 TMC. + 1.75 TMC (for 34 villages included), a total being 13.35 TMC. However, only 12.82 TMC through the Irrigation Department has been approved.

According to the water budget made by the Irrigation Department, if the water supply to the 34 villages is not provided by the PMC and if water is not available by increasing the budget due to which if the PMC stops the water supply of the said 34 villages, the Irrigation Department will be fully responsible for it.

Apart from this, PMC has a 2.67 TMC water quota for the Bhama Askhed Dam & 0.34 TMC water quota for the Pavana River. The water quota is not mentioned in the water budget of the Irrigation Department. Also, for water losses as per the criteria of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA), it is necessary to assume 20% water losses for Pune City. But for not doing so, the water bills have been given to Pune Municipal Corporation through the Irrigation Department in the past by charging higher rates.

Hence, the following demands must be fulfilled:

·         As per the water budget submitted to the Irrigation Department and for the included 34 villages under the PMC, 1.75 TMC water quota, 2.67 TMC water quota from Bhama Askhed Dam & 0.34 TMC water quota from Pavana River should be mentioned in the water budget

·         20% water losses should be assumed as per agreed criteria

·         2.23 TMC water quota, deducted in the water budget of the Irrigation Department for the year 2023-24, should not be deducted.

Shreyas Vange