The Times of India 03.08.2013
Civic body awaits nod to supply water twice a day
PUNE: A day after the withdrawal of the water cuts in the city was announced, citizens will have to wait for some more time for the twice-a-day water supply, as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) awaits a green signal from the irrigation department for the allotment of required water.
Elected members, civic activists and citizens' groups have been asking for a rollback of water cuts ever since the irrigation department started discharging water from the Khadakwasla dam from July 22, as the four dams supplying water to the city are nearly full.
The PMC on Thursday decided to withdraw the water cut imposed on Puneites 16 months ago. Member of Legislative Council Mohan Joshi announced that the decision to withdraw the water cut was taken in a special meeting with district guardian minister Ajit Pawar in Mumbai on Thursday afternoon.
"The administration has given a letter to the irrigation department, asking for explaining the calculations about the extra water that they are going to supply to the PMC. The letter was given to the irrigation department on July 31. The irrigation department is yet to reply," said Mahesh Pathak, PMC commissioner, told newsmen on Friday.
Pathak said that these calculations are important for long-term management of water for the city, especially during the next summer. Once the administration gets a reply, the water cut will be withdrawn. "We have asked the irrigation department not to add this extra water in PMC's yearly quota. If such addition takes place, it might cause problems in the water supply to the city during summer," he said.
Pathak said that some experts and political leaders have also of the opinion that the PMC should provide water only once, but for a longer period and with more force, instead of opting for twice-daily water supply.
According to PMC officials, the civic body expects to get more water for the city from the irrigation department. At present, the civic body supplies 1,150 million litre per day (MLD) water for the city, which will be increased by 2,00 MLD to facilitate the twice-a-day supply and the quota will be increased to 1,350 MLD. The water department on Wednesday sent a letter to the irrigation department seeking more water for the city.
The city had been getting 1,000 MLD water since March 1, 2012, translating into a 20% water cut on the ground that there was inadequate water storage in the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar dams because of poor rainfall in the previous monsoon.
Water supply was increased to 1,150 MLD with good rainfall in the monsoon and the water cut was reduced to 10%. The supply was reduced to once a day.
MLC Mohan Joshi, who made the announcement on Thursday, said that the irrigation department's letter can be a second priority. "The minutes of the meeting can be considered for further details," he said.
B B Lohar, executive engineer, Khadakwasla irrigation division was not available for comment.
The irrigation department on Friday discharged water from Khadakwasla at the rate of 26,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second). The Baba Bhide bridge near Deccan was submerged following the discharge.
