Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is looking to escalate its plea for increased water quota to state govt and the irrigation department’s water tribunal after its request for a 21 TMC annual quota was rejected this week, despite the civic body citing huge population growth, particularly after the inclusion of 34 villages within its limits, to press for the demand. In July, PMC had put forth a demand before the irrigation department for 21 TMC yearly water quota for the year 2025-26. The irrigation department, however, sanctioned only 14.6 TMC annual water quota for PMC, baffling civic officials and citizens alike.A section of civic officials said the sanctioned quota, although lower than PMC’s demand, would not significantly affect the city’s water supply since PMC was already drawing around 20 TMC of water from the Khadakwasla dam annually. They, however, wanted the quota to be officially increased to 21 TMC to avoid any hiccups.The area under PMC’s jurisdiction has expanded to 518sqkm, up from 334sqkm earlier, following the merger of 34 villages, making it the largest municipal corporation, surpassing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that covers about 440sqkm.An official from PMC’s water supply department said, “We will put forth the demand again. The city’s population has soared past 80 lakh, including a significant floating population. The residential areas on the city’s periphery are increasing. The civic body is supplying water to all these areas and has also taken steps to reduce water leakages. The equitable water supply scheme is getting ready, which will help save more water.“Former corporators and MLAs have been pushing for a revision of Pune’s water quota. At a recent meeting with state water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, civic officials and MLAs emphasised the need for increased allocation. Vikhe Patil, however, suggested PMC focus on reducing water losses through leakages and improving distribution systems before quota revision could be considered.Residents are not happy over water availability because of irregular and erratic supply. “We cannot understand why people are getting less supply when dams are full. There is a need to improve water distribution and increase the water quota,” Dhananjay Benkar, a resident of the Dhayari-Narhe area and AAP politician, said.Civic activist Vivek Velankar said a detailed audit of water usage should be carried out. “The irrigation department should furnish details on how much treated water was released for agriculture through the canal. Lack of coordination between the irrigation department and PMC should not affect the supply of water to the residents,” he said.Residents and activists said the reduced water quota was causing an increase in reliance on water tankers. “With lower allocated water supplies, communities are turning to water tankers as an alternative source of water, putting a huge strain on the finances of housing societies,” a Narhe resident said.
