Pune Water Crisis: PMC Faces Supply Disruptions Starting February 25

Pune residents are bracing for potential Pune water cuts starting from February 25, following a warning from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The civic body is at risk of facing Pune water cuts due to an outstanding payment of Rs 726 crore to the irrigation department, which provides water from the Khadakwasla reservoir.

The irrigation department had previously warned PMC in January about the unpaid dues, and after no action was taken, a formal notice was issued on February 13, stating that the Pune water cut would begin gradually unless the dues are settled.

S.Y. Kurhade, Executive Engineer of the Khadakwasla project, told HT, "Since 2005, the Pune Municipal Corporation has been lifting 11.5 TMC of water from the Khadakwasla reservoir, and the PMC owes Rs 726 crore for the same. If the PMC fails to repay the dues, the Pune water cut will be implemented in phases, impacting the city's water supply."

In response, PMC water department head Nandkishor Jagtap stated that the corporation disputes the claimed amount, arguing that the irrigation department's calculations were incorrect. Jagtap explained, "We have filed a petition with the Maharashtra water tribunal regarding this issue. This Pune water cut issue has been recurring every year and requires a permanent solution."

PMC further clarified that the actual dues are Rs 160 crore, and they have been paying bills regularly. The civic body has also filed a petition with the Maharashtra Water Resource Regulatory Authority, urging for a revision of the outstanding amount to avoid the Pune water cut.

With the looming threat of Pune water cuts, the city's residents are now left with uncertainty regarding their water supply, highlighting the urgency of resolving the payment dispute.