Pune: Mayor Manjusha Nagpure renewed demand for a larger water allocation at a meeting on Sunday, urging water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil to approve 25 TMC annual quota for the city and expedite long-pending infrastructure decisions as Pune’s growing population strains supplies and newly merged areas continue to face shortages.During the meeting held in Mumbai, the mayor also pressed for a comprehensive plan to secure Pune’s future water needs. A key proposal discussed was the formation of a high-level committee to launch a special desilting drive at Khadakwasla, Varasgaon, Panshet and Temghar dams where accumulated silt has reduced effective water storage capacity over the years.Nagpure said the minister responded positively to the demands and assured that necessary instructions would be issued to officials for appropriate action. “There was a positive discussion on all the issues raised. Additional water for Pune is essential and necessary steps should be taken to ensure sustainable water supply in the coming years,” she said.Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been demanding a revision of the city’s water quota for several years. While the civic body currently has an approved quota of 14.5 TMC, it has been seeking an increase to 21 TMC, and has now reiterated the need for 25 TMC in view of rapid urban expansion and rising consumption.Civic officials maintained that the existing allocation was no longer sufficient, particularly as water supply in the merged villages had remained a major challenge despite those areas being part of the PMC limits for the last five years. “It is the need of the hour. We will continue to follow up on every important issue related to the development of the city and ensure prompt decisions are taken. The meeting with the water resources minister was part of the effort to improve the city’s overall water supply system,” the mayor said.Nandkishor Jagtap, head of PMC’s water supply department, told TOI that the mayor’s demand was based on projections for the next 30 years. “PMC has approval for 16 TMC but currently lifts about 21 TMC, which still does not meet present demand. The additional 5 TMC sought from the Mulshi dam has not been sanctioned yet. If approved, the supply could be sourced from various dams, more from Mulshi and some from Pavana, or even from the Ujani dam if govt decides. Though Ujani will be distant and expensive. PMC’s role is to project current and future needs and submit a demand. Govt can then approve and allocate water from suitable sources,” he said.Apart from the water quota demand, the meeting also focused on traffic congestion issues and the conservation of rivers flowing through Pune. For the long-term protection of the Mula-Mutha river, the mayor proposed the creation of a state-level ‘Mula-Mutha River Rejuvenation Mission’, along with an integrated action plan covering desilting, pollution control and flood management.Nagpure also urged the minister to expedite the issuance of pending no-objection certificates from the water resources department for two proposed bridges in the Dhayari area, saying the projects were critical for improving local connectivity and easing traffic movement.(With inputs from Salonee Mistry)
