A burst pipeline in Ravet has brought water supply to Pune Airport to a standstill, prompting authorities to mobilize tanker deliveries to mitigate the impact on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Supply Interruption: The rupture in the pipeline at Ravet has severely affected water supply to Pune Airport, necessitating urgent measures to address the disruption. Tanker deliveries were arranged by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to alleviate the inconvenience caused by the pipeline burst.
Passenger Traffic Surge: Pune Airport has experienced a notable surge in passenger traffic in recent years, reaching an annual capacity of approximately 70 lakh. The escalating demand for water, exacerbated by the summer season, has compelled airport authorities to seek assistance from PMC to ensure uninterrupted water supply.
Tanker Deployment: PMC dispatched 15 to 20 tankers to Pune Airport to fulfill the water requirements of passengers and airport facilities. Despite these efforts, some passengers reported experiencing water shortages, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Pipeline Repair: Prompt action by PMC’s water supply department led to the containment of the pipeline leak in Ravet by Wednesday midnight (12:30 am). Indrabhan Ranadive, the superintending engineer of the water supply department, confirmed the successful repair of the pipeline, restoring normalcy to the water distribution system.
Water Crisis Challenges: Pune is grappling with a severe water crisis this year due to inadequate rainfall, resulting in dwindling water reserves. The dam levels at Khadakwasla dam, the primary water source for the city, have fallen below capacity, exacerbating the water scarcity situation.
Efforts to Address Crisis: Despite challenges, PMC has intensified efforts to supply water to suburban areas, including Viman Nagar, Ganesh Nagar, Vishrantwadi, and Kalas. However, pipeline bursts and wastage incidents have further complicated water management efforts.
Upcoming Election Impact: Repair work on pipeline leaks has been temporarily deferred due to the impending Lok Sabha polls. While this delay is necessary to prioritize election-related activities, citizens may continue to face intermittent interruptions in water supply until the completion of repair work post-elections.
Call for Conservation: In light of the water crisis, PMC has been directed to conserve water resources and address leakages diligently. The municipality is tasked with managing the limited water supply judiciously to meet the city’s escalating demands amidst dwindling water reserves.
As Pune grapples with the water scarcity crisis, effective management and conservation efforts are imperative to ensure equitable access to water resources for all residents and mitigate the adverse impacts of supply interruptions.
