Pune: As Pune witnesses an upsurge in water demand due to rapid urbanization, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has shifted its focus to tackle this challenge by addressing groundwater resources and increasing groundwater levels.
Mangesh Dighe, Environmental Conservation Officer at PMC, highlighted the pressing issue and stated, “The increasing urbanization in Pune has led to a corresponding rise in the demand for adequate groundwater supply. Recognizing the importance of augmenting groundwater availability in the city, the civic body has taken the initiative to conduct a comprehensive survey of all areas of Pune to assess the current groundwater situation. Subsequently, a meeting with PMC officials will be arranged to discuss strategies to enhance the capacity of groundwater in the city. An expert panel will collaborate with PMC to determine the appropriate and sustainable groundwater levels required for Pune. Furthermore, the focus will also be on identifying and safeguarding groundwater reserves, collecting data on the extraction of groundwater through borewells, and implementing measures to prevent groundwater pollution.”
Recent data indicates that due to the city’s expanding population and urban sprawl, PMC has recently requested the state government for a distribution of 20.9 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water from dams. However, the state water resources department has raised objections, citing the necessity to divert water from the dams for agricultural and industrial purposes.
The PMC’s proactive approach to address the rising water demand by prioritizing groundwater enhancement measures aims to ensure a sustainable water supply for the city’s burgeoning needs.
