Pune Faces Water Crisis Despite Proximity to Four Dams
Tanker Town Pune | Why a city surrounded by 4 massive dams is running dry this summer
Image: The Indian Express
Pune, India, is grappling with severe water shortages each summer, despite being surrounded by four major dams. The city's rapid population growth has outpaced its water supply infrastructure, leading to reliance on private tankers and significant financial penalties for exceeding water quotas. The Pune Municipal Corporation is under pressure to modernize its systems and secure additional water sources.
- 01Pune's population is projected to rise from 70 lakh in 2021 to 77.76 lakh by 2025-26, increasing water demand significantly.
- 02The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is sanctioned only 16.36 TMC of water per year, despite needing 21.03 TMC based on government norms.
- 03The PMC faces penalties of ₹147 crore annually for exceeding its water quota, with total dues reaching ₹1,020 crore.
- 04Approximately 32% of Pune's water supply is lost due to leakages in the distribution system, prompting the installation of meters to assess losses.
- 05The PMC has initiated a ₹446 crore project to improve water supply in newly merged villages, but many areas remain dependent on private tankers.
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Pune, a rapidly growing city in India, is facing a significant water crisis each summer, despite being surrounded by four major dams: Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon, and Temghar. The city's population has surged from 70 lakh in 2021 to an estimated 77.76 lakh by 2025-26, leading to a water demand of 21.03 TMC per year. However, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is sanctioned only 16.36 TMC, resulting in penalties of ₹147 crore annually for exceeding this limit, with total dues amounting to ₹1,020 crore. Internal issues exacerbate the crisis, including an estimated 32% water loss due to leakages in the supply system. To combat these challenges, the PMC is installing meters and undertaking a ₹446 crore project to improve water supply infrastructure in newly merged villages. Despite these efforts, many residents rely on private tankers for water, which often draw from polluted sources. The PMC's ongoing initiatives aim to modernize the water supply system and secure additional sources, but the gap between demand and supply remains a pressing concern.
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The water crisis in Pune affects daily life, forcing residents to rely on private tankers, often leading to health risks from contaminated water.
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