Pune Water Crisis Alert: 7 TMC Mulshi Dam Project Stuck as PMC, PCMC Delay Plans

Pune, 11th June 2026: The proposal to supply 7 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from Mulshi Dam to Pune and surrounding urban areas is awaiting final approval. However, the project has slowed as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) have not yet submitted their detailed water demand projections to the Water Resources Department.

The plan to utilise Mulshi Dam water for drinking purposes was strongly supported by late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who had argued that while alternative sources can be used for power generation, dam water should be prioritised for drinking and agriculture. Following this approach, the Water Resources Department approved the allocation of 7 TMC of surplus water from the dam for non-irrigation use.

A detailed proposal prepared by the Krishna Valley Development Corporation has already been submitted to the state government. The project has also received in-principle approval from both the Maharashtra government and Tata Power, which operates the Mulshi hydroelectric project.

Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil had earlier directed officials to conduct a scientific feasibility study on diverting water from the dam. Subsequently, a joint study group comprising experts from the Water Resources Department and Tata Power has been formed and is examining key technical and operational aspects of the proposal.

Officials said PMC, PCMC and PMRDA must first submit estimates of their current and future water requirements. These figures will determine how the 7 TMC allocation will be distributed among the three agencies and will form the basis for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

The delay in responses from the three urban bodies has slowed the next stage of the project, officials added.

At present, Pune’s drinking water supply comes primarily from the Khadakwasla reservoir system, which includes the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar dams. The city also draws water from the Bhama Askhed Dam. However, rapid urbanisation, expansion of municipal limits and rising population have steadily increased water demand.

The proposed Mulshi Dam project is being viewed as a long-term solution to address the region’s drinking water needs over the next two decades.

Expected benefits of the project include reduced water cuts during summer, improved supply to newly merged villages and expanding suburbs, reduced pressure on the Khadakwasla system, and enhanced water security for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and the PMRDA region.