PCMC Seeks Additional 760 MLD Water from Mulshi Dam; Proposal Yet to Reach State in Prescribed Format
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 13th March 2026: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has sought an additional 760 million litres per day (MLD) of water from the Mulshi Dam to address the city’s growing future demand. However, the proposal for reserving the water has not yet been submitted in the required format, Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil informed the state legislature.
The clarification came in response to a question raised by Mahesh Landge, MLA from Bhosari, regarding the long-term water supply plans for the rapidly expanding industrial city.
According to the minister, the population of Pimpri-Chinchwad has already reached nearly 3 million and is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Civic authorities have emphasised the need to identify and secure additional water sources to avoid shortages in the future.
Currently, the city’s water supply is sourced from Pavana Dam, Andra Dam and Bhama Askhed Dam. Officials have indicated that these sources alone may not be sufficient to meet long-term requirements.
PCMC had written to the state government on December 6, 2023, requesting 9.81 TMC of water from Mulshi Dam, which is equivalent to about 760 MLD. However, the Water Resources Department has stated that the formal proposal in the prescribed format has not yet been submitted, delaying further action on the request.
The minister also clarified that no water reservation has been approved from Chaskaman Dam for Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Water Planning Based on 2031 Population
Water supply planning for the city has been carried out keeping in mind a projected population of 5.274 million by 2031. Based on this projection, the government has already approved water reservations from several dams:
-6.65 TMC from Pavana Dam
-2.15 TMC from Bhama Askhed Dam
-1.30 TMC from Andra Dam
At present, Pimpri-Chinchwad receives around 650 MLD of water per day, which includes:
-550 MLD from Pavana Dam
-80 MLD from Andra Dam
-20 MLD supplied through Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC)
Bhama Askhed Project Facing Delays:
The civic body is also implementing a project to bring 167 MLD of water from Bhama Askhed Dam, but progress has been slow. Work related to the raw water pumping station, pipeline network and pumping infrastructure is still underway.
Although the project was initially scheduled to be completed by December 2024, it has already received an extension until December 2025. Officials now expect the project to be completed by March 2026.
Residents across Pimpri-Chinchwad have been receiving alternate-day water supply since November 2019, a measure originally introduced as a temporary arrangement to manage water distribution.
However, the system has continued for nearly six years, with civic officials stating that daily supply will only be possible once additional water sources are secured. Despite adequate water levels in dams during certain periods, many residents across different localities continue to report irregular and insufficient water supply, underscoring the urgent need to expand the city’s water infrastructure.
