Pune Municipal Corporation exceeds water usage limits significantly

Maharashtra's water resources minister, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, addressed the state assembly on Friday regarding Pune's water usage. He stated that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is using 21 to 22 TMC of water each year, which exceeds its approved limit of 14.5 TMC. Patil noted that the PMC aims to recycle at least 60% of this extra water and channel it towards agricultural needs in rural Pune. He mentioned ongoing discussions with PMC about improving water recycling efforts to lessen excessive use for non-agricultural purposes. This response followed concerns raised by Daund MLA Rahul Kul about insufficient water supply for agriculture due to PMC's higher consumption. Kul highlighted that PMC gets its water mainly from two sources: the Khadakwasla irrigation circle and the Bhama Askhed dam. He emphasized that PMC’s excessive water use affects agricultural supply in rural areas, urging the civic administration to take action. While rural leaders are worried about PMC's water use impacting rural water supply, the PMC has asked the state government to raise its annual water quota. They argue that population growth and the addition of new areas to the city justify this increase. A PMC official stated that the city's population has surpassed 6 million and continues to grow, which necessitates a reevaluation of the water quota.