Vikhe Patil To PMC: Justify Need For Additional Water Quota, Implement Recycling Initiatives In Pune

Vikhe Patil To PMC: Justify Need For Additional Water Quota, Implement Recycling Initiatives In Pune
Pune: The responsibility for reusing water and treating sewage lies with the municipal corporation, clarified State Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. He emphasized that Pune will not receive an increased water quota unless these conditions are met.
During a review of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) demand for additional water, Vikhe Patil highlighted that the city must address overuse and prioritize water conservation. Currently, PMC utilizes 21 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water annually, despite an allocation of only 14 TMC. With several large housing projects near city limits receiving regular water supply, concerns have been raised about the inequitable distribution affecting common citizens.
Vikhe Patil also directed the water resources department to issue a notice to PMC for exceeding its sanctioned quota and announced plans for a canal committee meeting to discuss water usage policies.
He stressed that most urban centers globally reuse water for purposes other than drinking and questioned why Pune has not adopted similar practices. The minister called for a review of the city’s sewage treatment and water reuse initiatives before considering its request for an increased quota.
Additionally, Vikhe Patil urged municipal corporations to share the costs of creating water infrastructure and highlighted the need to curb encroachments near dams to prevent pollution. The minister warned that political affiliations will not deter action against illegal activities affecting water resources.