Water Tankers Still Supplying Pune Despite Full Khadakwasla Dam
Pune, 7th August 2024: Despite abundant water in the Khadakwasla dam chain, parts of Pune still rely on tankers for their water supply. This situation persists even though water is being released from the dams into the river. Multiple areas, including Erandwane and the suburbs, are receiving water from tankers.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) asserts that there is adequate and regular water supply. Heavy rains in Pune and the Khadakwasla dam area over the past fifteen days have almost filled the water supply dams to 100%, resulting in water being discharged from Khadakwasla dam. Nevertheless, central Pune and the suburbs remain dependent on tankers, even during the monsoon season, with some societies in Erandwane ordering additional water tankers.
Last year, insufficient rainfall led to a water shortage in Pune. The intense summer heat significantly increased the demand for drinking water, prompting the PMC to begin supplying water via tankers as early as February, with demand peaking in March. Despite satisfactory rainfall this year, and full dams, PMC’s Water Supply Department maintains that the tanker supply is due to technical issues in certain areas. While these complaints are exceptions, water supply through tankers continues in some affected regions.
Social worker Narendra Mate has appealed to PMC Commissioner and Administrator Dr. Rajendra Bhosale for water to be supplied twice daily to Pune City, citing the ample water in Khadakwasla Dam. Mate’s request highlights that, despite the heavy rain and water discharge into the Mutha river basin, some housing societies still require tankers during the monsoon season. He suggests extending the morning water supply time or providing water both in the morning and evening to address this issue.
