Pune Faces Possible Water Crisis as 7.5 TMC Reserved Until July 15
Pune, 2nd March 2025: To prevent a potential water crisis in the city, the canal committee has decided to reserve 7.5 TMC of water until July 15, 2025. Currently, the dams have 17 TMC of water, but MLAs from rural areas of the district expressed dissatisfaction over its distribution.
The canal committee meeting was initially scheduled for February 18 but was postponed. As a result, the water distribution plan was adjusted based on the latest availability. At present, 16 TMC of water remains in the dams, and 1.10 TMC is expected to evaporate over the next five months. Additionally, 7.5 TMC of water has been allocated for agricultural purposes.
Impact on Municipal Water Supply
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) currently supplies 1,460 MLD (million liters per day) of water. However, during the summer, demand rises to 1,550–1,600 MLD. Citizens have been urged to use water judiciously. While the PMC requires 18.61 TMC of water annually, the Water Resources Department has sanctioned only 14.61 TMC, leading to concerns over shortages.
Triple Charges for Excess Water Usage
The PMC will be charged triple the standard rate for any water usage beyond the approved limit. This move is expected to place a significant financial burden on the municipal administration’s water supply management.
With this decision, Punekars may face water shortages during the summer months, further highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
