Fadnavis Assures Adequate Water Supply For Growing Pune
Fadnavis Assures Adequate Water Supply For Growing Pune
Mumbai, July 3: As Pune city expands, with new villages included in the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, it remains an educational and industrial hub. Considering the growing population and the number of villages, the government is working on new water sources to ensure Pune never faces a water shortage. The ‘Equal Water Distribution Scheme’ is underway to balance water distribution in Pune, and the government is focusing on its completion. By preventing water leakage, Pune will have sufficient water available, said Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Devendra Fadnavis in response to a call attention notice in the Legislative Assembly today.
https://twitter.com/Dev_Fadnavis/status/1808465827420614966
Ravindra Dhangekar had raised the call attention notice regarding Pune city’s water supply.
In response, Deputy CM Fadnavis said that to meet Pune’s future water needs, a tunnel from Khadakwasla to Fursungi is being constructed, providing an additional 2 TMC of water. Renovation of the Khadakwasla canal will provide 1.25 TMC, and other measures like the old Mutha canal will provide 5 TMC. Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are being developed under the river improvement plan, enabling water reuse. Industries within a 50-kilometer radius of the STPs are mandated to use recycled water. Developers must supply water at their expense until the municipal supply starts for new residential complexes. Meetings will be held regarding water distribution between Pune and Indapur. The Sawantwadi project near Katraj may provide half a TMC of water for Pune, pending verification by the Water Resources Department.
Pune’s population of 7.2 million, including 23 new villages, has a provision for 11.7 TMC of water, with an approved 14.61 TMC, but the actual usage is 20.87 TMC, indicating significant leakage. The Equal Water Distribution Scheme aims to save 40% of the leaked water, reducing leakage from 40% to 20%, thus providing 4 TMC of water from the 20 TMC usage, explained Fadnavis.
He emphasized that rainwater harvesting should be implemented in new constructions, with the Pune Municipal Corporation inspecting compliance. Clear references to solid waste and water management must be included in agreements by developers, as mandated by the Urban Development Department and RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority).
The discussion saw participation from members Madhuri Misal, Jayant Patil, Ashok Pawar, Chetan Tupe, Dattatraya Bharane, Siddharth Shirole, Bhimrao Tapkir, Mahesh Landge, and Anil Deshmukh.
