No Water Cuts in Pune From July 15, PMC Reverses Decision Within 24 Hours
Pune, 14th July 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has withdrawn its decision to reintroduce water cuts in the city from July 15, barely 24 hours after Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram announced the move.
The decision to cancel the water rationing was taken following a meeting chaired by Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, who said that with water currently being released into the Khadakwasla canal and reservoir levels improving significantly, imposing restrictions on citizens would not be justified.
The reversal has brought relief to Punekars, although it has also highlighted differences in decision-making between the civic administration and the elected leadership.
Commissioner Ram had earlier announced that alternate-day water supply would resume from July 15, citing the need to conserve water despite recent rainfall. He had said that while water storage in the Khadakwasla dam project had improved, it was still too early to predict the overall monsoon pattern and future inflows.
The PMC had initially imposed alternate-day water supply from June 15 after water levels in the Khadakwasla dam system dropped sharply due to a delayed monsoon. However, the restrictions were suspended until July 12 to ensure uninterrupted water supply during the annual Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi processions.
Since last week, heavy rainfall in the catchment area has significantly improved the water situation. Storage in the Khadakwasla dam project has risen from around 12% to 58%, providing much-needed relief to the city.
Following the Commissioner’s announcement, concerns were reportedly raised by elected representatives. In response, Mayor Nagpure convened a meeting attended by Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale, Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur, and Water Supply Department Head Nandkishor Jagtap.
During the meeting, participants noted that the reservoirs now hold nearly 58% of their capacity, the India Meteorological Department has forecast further rainfall during July and August, and water is currently being released into the Khadakwasla canal. They concluded that reimposing water cuts under the present circumstances was unnecessary.
Mayor Nagpure later spoke with Commissioner Ram over the phone, following which the decision to enforce water cuts from Wednesday was withdrawn.
“Pune does not require water cuts at present. The administration has been instructed to ensure regular daily water supply to citizens. The weather department has forecast rainfall in the coming week. Based on the rainfall and the water storage in the Khadakwasla dam project, an all-party meeting will be convened after July 22 to review the situation and decide the future course of action,” Nagpure said.
The PMC will review the city’s water supply strategy after July 22, taking into account the monsoon’s progress and reservoir levels before making any further decision on water rationing.
