Residents of several eastern Pune neighborhoods found themselves facing an unexpected challenge as water supply was abruptly cut off for nearly two days, starting on Wednesday, December 13, due to a technical issue at the Bhama Askhed pumping and jackwell unit. Frustrated residents are now seeking solutions from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to prevent such disruptions in the future.
PMC officials disclosed on Wednesday afternoon that a malfunction in the power supply cable at the pumping unit was the root cause of the water supply interruption. Immediate repairs were initiated, but technical challenges prolonged the restoration work until midnight. The water pumping resumed on Thursday morning.
However, local leaders from the Nagar Road area reported that, by Thursday evening, optimal water supply pressure had only been restored to certain areas, including Wadgaon Sheri, Chandannagar, Vimannagar, and parts of Lohegaon and Dhanori.
An ex-corporator from the Nagar Road area stated that complaints about water supply issues started pouring in on Wednesday night. While the PMC officials provided updates on the impact of the power outage, it took until late afternoon on Thursday for water at optimal pressure to reach specific eastern Pune areas.
A PMC official mentioned that an underground power cable at the Karanje Vihir unit had caused the issue, and locating the fault took considerable time. The repair project, lasting over six hours, concluded around midnight, restoring the operational status of water pumping.
Over the past three years, the Bhama Askhed dam has been a crucial source of water for the eastern regions of Pune through the PMC.
Residents, weary from unexpected water closures due to technical issues, are urging civic authorities to conduct routine inspections and maintenance to prevent future hardships.
The PMC water supply department officials assured that they are investigating the causes of the power outage, with a primary focus on restoring water and power supplies. The findings will inform corrective actions to prevent such disruptions in the future.
