Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Grapples with Water Crisis as Andhra Dam Levels Drop; Indrayani River Embankment Leakage Adds Concern

Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 4th April 2024: Doubts have arisen regarding the release of water from the Andhra Dam for Pimpri Chinchwad City, as the water level in the Indrayani River has witnessed a decline over the past two days. With only 45 MLD (million litres per day) available for the city, a shortage of 40 MLD water has emerged. To address this issue, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Commissioner Shekhar Singh and officials from the Water Supply Department convened an online meeting on Tuesday (2nd) with the Irrigation Department of the Government of Maharashtra.

For the last four and a half years, Pimpri Chinchwad has been adhering to an alternating water supply schedule, ensuring consistent access to 615 MLD of water. This allocation comprises 510 MLD sourced from the Pavana Dam in Maval, an initial phase contribution of 85 MLD from the Andhra Dam, and an additional 20 MLD supplied by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). However, concerns have surfaced as only 45 MLD of water has been received from the Andhra Dam over the past two days, resulting in a significant deficit.

Efforts are underway to rectify the situation, with discussions held during the online meeting regarding the release of adequate water from the Andhra Dam into the Indrayani River and the urgent repair of the dam’s outlet. Moreover, due to insufficient storage in the remaining embankment water, water is being pumped through a single pump instead of two.

The Nighoje embankment on the Indrayani River, from where impure water is drawn by PCMC, has been experiencing leakage for several months. PCMC has urged the Irrigation Department to undertake repairs, and administrative approval has been secured for the same. The Irrigation Department has assured that necessary actions will be taken once the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections is amended following the tender process.

Shrikant Sawane, Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Department at PCMC, remarked, “100 MLD water is reserved for the city from Andhra Dam. For the past few days, there has been insufficient water flowing into the Nighoje embankment on the Indrayani River. Instructions have been issued to address the water leakage from the Nighoje embankment. An earthen embankment has been constructed on behalf of the PCMC, serving as a temporary solution.”