Khadakwasla pumping restored; some Pune areas get low-pressure water after power faults

Pune, November 2, 2026: Water supply in Pune was disrupted for the past three days because of a series of power failures at pumping stations and water treatment plants. It is now expected to return to normal gradually. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) restored power supply and pumping at the Khadakwasla pumping station from 8 am on Sunday, November 1. Arrangements are also being made to provide extra pumping hours to make up the accumulated shortfall.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur said the Peth area, Pune Station, Kharadi, Wadgaon Sheri, Bhandarkar Road, parts of Kothrud, Karve Nagar, Shivajinagar and Aundh were hit. Citizens complained that water arrived late and at low pressure because of the disruption to pumping and treatment.

According to Kaur, there were several faults in the power supply system of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) and in the municipal corporation's own electrical system. In addition, the weekly water supply closure, decided on October 29 as part of the city's water-saving measures, was in force.

"All major electrical faults have been repaired and normal pumping has resumed. To make up the accumulated shortfall, extra pumping hours will be given as far as procedure permits, especially in the affected distribution zones," Kaur said.

The corporation has instructed engineers to monitor water distribution closely, give priority to low-pressure complaints and take measures to restore regular supply. Special attention is also being paid to ensuring adequate water during Diwali.

Giving the sequence of events, Kaur said a fault developed in an electrical cable at the Parvati water treatment plant on October 30. The old 350 MLD plant there was shut for about four hours. The fault was attended to immediately, repairs were completed within four hours, and treatment and supply resumed.

The major disruption came on October 31. MSEDCL's express feeder line supplying power to the Khadakwasla pumping station from Nanded City was damaged during ongoing construction work. MSEDCL provided alternative supply through the Urban Gram express feeder. However, a monkey touched the overhead power line, causing a short circuit there, Kaur said.

Although MSEDCL repaired the short-circuit fault, a later inspection showed that two transformers at the Khadakwasla pumping station were damaged.

To minimise the effect on Pune's water supply, the corporation immediately installed diesel generator (DG) sets at the pumping station. This emergency arrangement kept four of the five pumps running, and raw water continued to reach the Warje water treatment plant at about 80 per cent capacity.

Kaur also said Vishwaraj Environment Limited, which handles operation and maintenance, obtained two replacement transformers of 1,200 kVA each on hire from a private supplier on October 31. One was installed and commissioned, and normal power supply and pumping began at 8 am on November 1.

The second transformer, for the pumping section currently running on DG sets, was to be installed and commissioned on November 1. Once it is in place, the entire pumping system was expected to run at full capacity.

The corporation said the successive disruptions created a temporary water shortfall in some distribution zones. Extra pumping hours are planned, as far as procedure allows, to improve pressure and restore regular supply. Engineers have been directed to give priority to complaints from affected areas. Efforts to make up the shortfall are under way so that citizens face the least inconvenience, especially during Diwali, Kaur said.