Pune Authorities Clamp Down on Water Theft: Prohibitory Orders Along New Mutha Right Canal

Pune, 24th April 2024: Prohibitory orders have been imposed up to 50 meters on both sides of the canal from Khadakwasla to Indapur to prevent water theft from the New Mutha-right canal. The Water Resources Department had requested the district collector, which has been approved.

The Khadakwasla dam chain currently has approximately three Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMC) less water storage compared to last year. Therefore, the Water Resources Department is planning stringent measures to manage the available water in the dams. The aim is to provide sufficient water for drinking in Pune city and for agricultural irrigation in rural areas. Water is being released from the new Mutha canal for rural areas, causing the canal to overflow.

Superintending Engineer (in charge) of the Khadakwasla Project at the Water Resources Department, Sunanda Jagtap, and Executive Engineer Shweta Kurhade requested the collector’s office to halt illegal water withdrawal from this canal. Consequently, Collector Dr Suhas Diwase has ordered the implementation of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Section 144 (Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger).