Decision Postponed Amid Lowest Water Storage Levels in Five Years
Pune district will not implement any water cut measures until after the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for May 7 and 13, due to the lowest water storage levels in the Khadakwasla dam chain in the last five years.
The Khadakwasla, Temghar, Panshet, and Varasgaon dams, vital water sources for the city, currently hold a total storage of 11.35 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), down by 2.36 TMC from last year. Despite concerns over dwindling water reserves, the decision on water management will be deferred until after the conclusion of the elections.
In a recent meeting of the canal committee of the water resources department, controlled water usage was discussed, but it was ultimately decided not to implement a water cut for the city at present. However, the Pune district collector has instructed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to ensure prudent water usage.
The last time water storage levels were this low was in 2019, prompting stringent measures such as banning water provision to non-essential services like swimming pools and vehicle washing centers, as well as implementing weekly water cuts for maintenance purposes.
A senior official from the water supply department emphasized the necessity to defer water cut decisions due to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Currently, the PMC has opted for a one-day water cut every Thursday to conserve water resources.
Echoing this sentiment, a senior official from the Khadakwasla irrigation division stated that while water management is stable until June, decisions beyond that will depend on the post-election scenario.
