Crucial Canal Committee Meeting Today To Decide Pune’s Water Supply Till June
Pune, 1st March 2025: After a four-month delay due to the Assembly Elections, the much-awaited Canal Committee meeting will finally be held today. The meeting, chaired by Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, will determine Pune’s water supply management until June 2025. With rising temperatures driving up demand, the city faces a potential water crisis, as the Irrigation Department continues to push for a reduction in the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) daily water consumption.
Currently, the PMC draws 1,570 million liters per day (MLD) from the Khadakwasla Dam, but the Irrigation Department insists that this should be reduced to 1,150 MLD. The Khadakwasla Dam presently holds 17.16 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water. Of this, around 9 TMC will be allocated for two summer irrigation cycles for rural areas, leaving only 8 TMC for urban and rural irrigation needs, evaporation, and municipal supply.
Traditionally, water reserves for PMC last until the end of June, but in recent years, delayed monsoons have forced authorities to extend reserves until August 15. Given Pune’s daily consumption, the city requires at least 8 TMC of water until then. However, with rising temperatures accelerating evaporation and additional irrigation demands, the city’s water security now hinges on the decisions made in today’s meeting.
Adding to the tension, the Irrigation Department recently warned of water supply cuts if the PMC fails to clear its outstanding dues of ₹700 crore. This financial dispute has strained relations between the two bodies and is expected to be a contentious issue in the meeting. With complaints of inadequate water supply already mounting from Pune residents, the PMC is set to raise these concerns, pushing for an uninterrupted supply through the peak summer months.
