Pune: Rapid Water Depletion at Autadewadi Lake Raises Alarm; RMC Plant Under Scrutiny

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Hadapsar, 23rd December 2025: Serious concerns have emerged over the rapid depletion of water at Autadewadi Lake, with local residents alleging that a nearby Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plant has illegally extracted large quantities of water, causing a sharp drop in the lake’s water level.

According to residents, nearly 30 per cent of the lake’s water has disappeared within just two months, a rate described as highly unusual for the post-monsoon period. Locals suspect the water has been diverted for industrial use by an RMC plant operating in the vicinity.

Residents claim that a green pipeline has been laid from a well near the lake directly to the RMC plant, indicating unauthorised water lifting. “Such a drastic reduction in water levels cannot be attributed to evaporation alone. The water has been taken by the plant,” a local resident alleged.

MPCB rules on water use by RMC plants
As per guidelines issued by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on October 17, 2025, RMC plants fall under the Orange Category and are subject to strict environmental regulations.

The MPCB notification states that RMC plants must not draw water from natural sources such as lakes, wells, rivers, or groundwater without prior approval. It also mandates that all wastewater generated from washing, vehicle cleaning, and plant operations must be collected, treated, and reused, with zero discharge of untreated effluent outside the plant premises.

Water used for industrial purposes must be sourced only from authorised supplies, with necessary permissions from competent authorities. The guidelines further specify that treated water may be reused only for internal processes, sprinkling, or plantation, and that plant operations must not cause environmental degradation, particularly to nearby water bodies.

Possible violations and environmental impact
Environmental activists have pointed out that if water is being diverted from Autadewadi Lake or a connected well without approval, it would constitute a violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, as well as the consent conditions issued by the MPCB.

Experts warn that unchecked water extraction could disrupt groundwater recharge, affect nearby agricultural and domestic water supplies, threaten aquatic life and biodiversity, and lead to long-term water scarcity in surrounding areas.

Demand for immediate action
Residents have demanded an urgent inspection by MPCB officials, seizure of any illegal pipelines, and verification of the RMC plant’s Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate documents.

“The lake is a community resource. If industries are allowed to drain it unchecked, the area will face a severe water crisis,” said a local activist.
The MPCB has the authority to issue closure notices, impose penalties, and cancel operating permissions if violations are confirmed. Officials are expected to conduct a site inspection following complaints received from residents.

Awaiting official response
Attempts to contact the RMC plant management for clarification were unsuccessful till the time of filing this report. MPCB officials have not issued an official statement, though sources indicated that the matter is under preliminary review.

With water bodies across the Pune region already under stress, environmentalists have stressed the need for strict enforcement of MPCB norms to prevent irreversible ecological damage.