Pimpri-Chinchwad to face 10% more water cut from October 16, daily shortfall to rise to 172 MLD

Both the Pavana and Andra dams are 100 per cent full, yet Pimpri-Chinchwad's water problems are not over. The state Water Resources Department has decided to impose a further 10 per cent water cut in the city from October 16. The city has already been getting water on alternate days since November 25, 2019, nearly seven years. During the festival season, the city's daily shortfall will rise from 105 MLD to 172 MLD, adding to residents' difficulties.

It has been stated that rainfall has been well below normal in several parts of the state this year because of the El Nino effect. Heat has been rising since October, groundwater levels in wells and borewells have dropped, and there are fears of a water shortage in the coming summer. In view of this, the state government has directed all local self-government bodies to use water carefully. To plan for the whole of next year, the Water Resources Department has told municipal corporations to make a 10 per cent water cut mandatory. It has also warned clearly that if this is not strictly followed and a shortage arises later, the municipal administration will be held responsible.

Now the figures. The city's total daily demand is 770 MLD, while it is currently getting 665 MLD. This includes 540 MLD from the Pavana dam, 95 MLD from the Andra dam and 30 MLD from MIDC. The daily shortfall is therefore 105 MLD at present. After the 10 per cent cut, the city will get 598 MLD and the total shortfall will rise to 172 MLD.

Newly developed suburbs are bearing the brunt of the shortfall. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation is currently supplying only 50 per cent of the water due to 34 large housing societies in Wakad, each with 200 to 500 flats. As a result, residents are having to depend on private tankers, spending thousands of rupees every day. The administration says that until water from the Bhama Askhed project actually reaches the city, it will not be possible to supply the area at full capacity.

The municipal corporation introduced alternate-day water supply in the city on November 25, 2019. The reasoning was that a growing population should get water at proper pressure and equitably. Next month, this temporary arrangement completes seven years. Even so, the corporation has not been able to improve the distribution system, and complaints of low supply and low pressure persist across the city. With the 10 per cent cut now added, there is widespread anger among residents.

Kiran Deshmukh, Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department, said, "The state government has clear orders to impose the 10 per cent water cut from October 16. An official letter will be sent to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation accordingly."

Ajay Suryawanshi, Joint City Engineer in the water supply department of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, said, "The city is already getting less water than the demand. From October 16, water within the city will be redistributed afresh according to how much is released from the dams."