Pune: Water Crisis Looms: Water Planning In Question As Ujani Dam Levels Continue To Decline; Farmers Raise Alarm

Pune, 3rd March 2025: The stalled work on the closed water channel project, intended to supply drinking water to Solapur district, has begun to impact water levels in Ujani Dam, raising concerns among farmers and residents of Indapur taluka in Pune district. With rising temperatures and increasing water demand, questions are being raised about the planning and management of water resources.

Water from Ujani Dam is regularly released into the Bhima River to supply drinking water to Solapur, Pandharpur, Mangalwedha, Sangola, and nearby areas. Each circulation requires at least 5.5 TMC of water, and two such circulations have already been carried out, leading to the release of approximately 12 TMC. However, due to delays in the parallel water channel project, a significant amount of water is being lost, and an additional 6 TMC may need to be released, further depleting storage levels.

Last year, Ujani Dam reached its full capacity of 111 TMC during the monsoon, with 63% of that classified as dead stock. The remaining usable water is crucial for irrigation in Pune and Solapur districts. Although rainfall was sufficient last year, demands such as the annual water release for Pandharpur’s Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage and regular drinking water needs continue to put pressure on storage. Farmers are now questioning why water management strategies have not been more effectively implemented to prevent depletion.

RP More, Executive Engineer of the Ujani Dam Management Department, stated that there has been no excessive water withdrawal from the dam. Since October, two rounds of water releases for Solapur city have resulted in a reduction of about 10-12 TMC, contributing to a 35% decrease in storage. He further warned that if the ongoing water channel project is not completed soon, further water releases may be necessary, exacerbating concerns of potential shortages in the coming months.