Water cuts have been imposed in the city
since March 1 and most of the areas get water only in the morning. All
party corporators had raised the demand that water cuts be withdrawn
after the irrigation department started to release water from the
Khadakwasla dam into the Mutha right bank canal which supplies water to
the city.

During the City Improvement Committee (CIC) meeting, PMC’s water department head V G Kulkarni
said, “The city draws water from four dams, of which only Khadakwasla
is filled to capacity. The total storage of the other three dams –
Temghar, Varasgaon and Panshet – is less then 60%. Considering this, the
state irrigation department cannot withdraw water cuts.”

Members of CIC insisted that water cuts be withdrawn since many parts of
the city are reeling under water scarcity. They said that though the PMC
has officially announced 18% cuts, many parts of the city receive water
only on alternate days. The CIC members said the water discharged into
the canal enables the PMC to lift additional water for the city and
benefits smaller towns like Daund and Indapur.

CIC chairman Chetan Tupe
told TOI, “However, the PMC water department is firm on its decision
and the water cuts will stay. The PMC officials admitted that some areas
suffer severely because of water cuts, while others get more than the
allocated quota. This happens because of the geographical locations of
the areas and the civic body is helpless to avoid the same.”