In a relief to the residents of Pune, the Khadakwasla canal committee has made a significant decision that will keep the city’s taps flowing without interruptions, at least for the time being. The committee, chaired by Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil, announced on Saturday that there would be no water cuts imposed on the city’s water supply, and the current schedule would continue.
This welcome news comes amidst concerns about water scarcity, particularly during the dry months. The committee has assured the public that the next review of water stock is scheduled for mid-October. At that time, decisions regarding water supply to both urban and rural areas will be made based on the available water storage.
Minister Patil emphasized that there is currently sufficient water storage in the Khadakwasla reservoir circle. Therefore, the city can continue to receive water as per the existing schedule, providing relief to residents who depend on this precious resource for their daily needs.
The current collective stock in the four dams within the Khadakwasla circle stands at 27.47 TMC, which is an impressive 94.24% of their total capacity. Notably, the storages in Panshet and Varasgaon dams have reached their full capacities. However, it is worth mentioning that August saw less than 5 TMC of water being added to the dams due to scanty rainfall in the catchment areas.
Aniruddha Pawaskar, the head of Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) water supply department, highlighted that the storage in the dams is almost at full capacity, and the current water supply schedule extends until mid-October. He also mentioned that PMC is actively working to reduce wastage and regulate the use of potable water, especially at washing centers and for construction activities.
The meeting was attended by Daund MLA Rahul Kul, who represents rural parts, and he stressed the importance of judicious water use to ensure an adequate supply for both rural and urban areas.
Officials from the state irrigation department informed the committee that water release for crops had already begun last month and would continue for another month. In a positive development, the irrigation department released water from Panshet to the power house following a good spell of rain, a step that ensures the efficient utilization of available resources.
However, it’s worth noting that the storage in Khadakwasla has been intentionally reduced to 60% to accommodate water being released from upstream dams. This demonstrates a coordinated effort to manage water resources effectively and maintain a balance between urban and rural water needs.
