Pune: Who Will Get Water From Mulshi Dam? Growing Water Demand Sparks Debate
Pune – As Pune city’s water demand continues to rise, a proposal to allocate five TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from Mulshi Dam is awaiting approval from the state government. The proposal, aimed at addressing the city’s escalating water needs, was passed by the Pune Municipal Corporation in August 2021 and forwarded to the state authorities. However, the decision is not straightforward, as competing demands from Pimpri-Chinchwad, rural areas like Daund and Indapur, and irrigation needs have complicated the allocation process.
Currently, Pune relies heavily on the Khadakwasla Dam, which has a capacity of 29 TMC. However, with water demand increasing annually, the city faces a potential water crisis if additional sources are not secured. The proposed five TMC from Mulshi Dam would require significant infrastructure development, including pipelines, water purification centers, and jackwells, which could take two to three years to complete.
Pimpri-Chinchwad, which currently sources water from Pawana, Bhama Askhed, and Andra dams, has also joined the demand for Mulshi water. Representatives from the area are set to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the legislative session to push for their share. Meanwhile, rural regions like Daund and Indapur are advocating for Mulshi water to support agriculture and mitigate future shortages.
To address long-term water needs, there is also a proposal to increase the height of Mulshi Dam by one meter, which would boost its capacity to over 20 TMC. However, this plan is under study by the Irrigation Department to assess its impact on agricultural land and affected farmers.
With the state government facing the challenge of balancing these competing demands, a timely decision is crucial to prevent severe water shortages in the region.
