Pune's 13% water cut is enough, no need for 20%, says Sajag Nagrik Manch

Sajag Nagrik Manch president Vivek Velankar has said the 13 per cent water cut now in force in Pune is sufficient and there is no need to raise it to 20 per cent. Citing the water stock in the Khadakwasla dam system and the city's needs in the coming months, he opposed the proposal to tighten water restrictions.

The issue is expected to be discussed on October 28 at a meeting of the Water Resources Department and representatives of all political parties. The proposal for a 20 per cent cut is said to have come from the district collector. The citizens' group has since put forward its own assessment of the available stock and Pune's requirement.

According to figures cited by Velankar, the Khadakwasla dam system held 25.66 TMC of water as of October 15, 2026. If no cut is imposed, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) needs about 1.6 TMC a month. On that basis, the city would need roughly 17.40 TMC between October 15, 2026 and August 31, 2027.

However, continuing the present arrangement of shutting off supply every Thursday saves about 13 per cent. Pune's requirement over the same period then falls to about 15 TMC.

After setting aside 15 TMC for Pune, about 10.66 TMC would remain in the dam system. Even after deducting an estimated three TMC lost to evaporation, the organisation's assessment says about 7.66 TMC could remain to fill irrigation and drinking water reservoirs in the Daund-Indapur area.

Velankar also said water could be arranged for the rabi season, later irrigation rotations and the annual Ashadhi Wari. In addition, about five TMC could be supplied for farming from the Mundhwa jackwell through the Baby Canal.

On this basis, Sajag Nagrik Manch has demanded that the current 13 per cent cut be continued until August 31, 2027, with no further restrictions on top of it. The organisation believes the existing storage can meet Pune's needs and also leave water for other essential requirements.

White paper sought on equitable water supply scheme

Along with opposing a deeper cut, Sajag Nagrik Manch has demanded that the PMC issue a white paper on the results of the equitable water supply scheme.

According to Velankar, about Rs 2,000 crore has been spent on the scheme over the past five years. Its aim was to reduce leakage and ensure water is distributed equally across the city.

The organisation has sought details of what the scheme has actually achieved. It wants to know how much leakage has fallen and whether residents in different parts of Pune are getting equal water.

The October 28 meeting is considered important in deciding the way forward on water supply restrictions in Pune. Sajag Nagrik Manch maintains that, given its assessment of current stock and projected demand, the 13 per cent cut should continue and a larger cut is not needed.