The city of Pimpri-Chinchwad is currently in the midst of a severe water shortage, receiving less than 30 million litres per day (MLD) for the past month despite having a designated quota of 100 MLD from the Andhra Dam. Areas like Charholi, Moshi, Dudulgaon, Bhosari, Dighi, and others are particularly affected, leading to an uptick in water-related complaints from residents.
For over four and a half years, the city has been on an every-other-day water supply schedule, drawing water from various sources, including 510 MLD from Pavana Dam in Maval, 75 MLD from Andhra Dam, and 20 MLD from MIDC. However, a recent reduction in Andhra Dam’s water supply, from 40-45 MLD to less than 30 MLD, has resulted in a 30 MLD deficit, causing widespread dissatisfaction due to inadequate and low-pressure water supply.
Efforts by the Municipal Corporation to address the issue, including contacting officials from the Water Resources Department, have not yielded improvements. Residents continue to bear the brunt of insufficient water supply, while concerns persist about the possibility of excess water being released into the Indrayani River.
To alleviate the crisis, the Municipal Corporation has adjusted its water intake, reducing the supply from MIDC to 30 MLD from the previous 35 MLD due to the shortfall from Andhra Dam.
Shrikant Sawane, Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Department, clarified that the city has a reserve of 100 MLD water from Andhra Dam. However, the recent decline in water levels in the Indrayani River has prompted discussions with Water Resources Department officials to find a sustainable solution.
In response to the ongoing water shortage, a meeting is scheduled with the Commissioner to address the concerns of residents and devise a comprehensive plan for ensuring a consistent and sufficient water supply.
