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Pune Considers Weekly Water Shutdowns Amid Drought Concerns
Maharashtra has asked local governments to use at least 10% less water starting October 16.
Pune is thinking about turning off water supply for one day each week to save water.
The city has not made a final decision, and it is waiting for written instructions from the state.
Pune’s four main dams still hold a lot of water, but they have less than they did at this time last year.
The city wants its water to last through the dry months and until the next monsoon.
It has also asked the state to set aside water for Pune.
Officials will discuss the plan before deciding whether restrictions are needed.
Maharashtra has directed local bodies to cut water consumption by at least 10% from October 16.
Pune’s municipal corporation is considering a full-day water shutdown once a week, but has not finalized a plan.
The four dams supplying Pune held 26.80 TMC, or 91.94% of combined capacity, on October 9.
That storage was 2.35 TMC below the level recorded at the same time last year.
Pune has asked the Water Resources Department to reserve 21.34 TMC for the city’s needs until the next monsoon.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Pune Municipal Corporation and local bodies across the state.
- What
- Local bodies have been directed to reduce water consumption by at least 10%; Pune is considering a weekly day-long shutdown.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, and the four-dam Khadakwasla system supplying the city.
- When
- The state directive takes effect October 16; reservoir figures were reported for October 9.
- Why
- To conserve water for the dry months, meet demand and support drought-affected areas amid concerns about future rainfall.
Conservation measures
Unresolved implementation
Whether to impose weekly shutdowns
Conservation measures
PMC officials say a weekly shutdown could help reserves last through the dry months and avoid summer scarcity.
Unresolved implementation
The measure is still under discussion; PMC is awaiting written state communication and has not finalized restrictions.
How urgent conservation is
Conservation measures
The dams are below last year’s storage, and the state cited drought concerns and the needs of affected areas.
Unresolved implementation
The four-dam system still holds 91.94% of capacity, so the proposed cuts are precautionary rather than a response to empty reservoirs.
Key facts
- State target
- At least 10% lower water consumption from October 16
- Pune reservoirs
- 26.80 TMC combined storage as of October 9
- Combined capacity
- 29.15 TMC; the reported storage was 91.94% of capacity
- Year-on-year difference
- Storage was 2.35 TMC below the corresponding figure last year
- Shutdown proposal
- A day-long water supply shutdown once a week is under consideration
- Water request
- PMC asked the Water Resources Department to reserve 21.34 TMC for Pune
- Decision status
- The plan and schedule remain undecided pending written state communication and consultations
Quotes
Nandkishor Jagtap
In-charge of the Pune Municipal Corporation water supply department
“To ensure that the available water lasts till the start of the monsoon in July next year, the Pune civic administration has prepared itself for water cuts from October 16. If there is a water cut once a week, then there will be no scarcity during summer. However, the water cut will be considered only after written communication from the state government. So, this is still under talks and in discussion. An official notice will be issued as soon as it is finalised.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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