From Monday, 20% water cut in PCMC limits

PUNE: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will implement 20 per cent water cut from Monday. Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma announced this decision in the backdrop of the 40 per cent water cut in the neighbouring Pune city.
Sharma said last year too, the PCMC had to announce a 20 per cent water cut around the same time.The Pavana dam has 25 per cent water storage which will last for another 85 days. "Though the district planning and development council meeting on June 21 had taken a decision not to enforce a water cut in the PCMC limits, the situation has not improved. There have been no significant spells of rain. So, a decision has been taken to effect a 20 per cent water cut. If the situation improves in a week's time, the cut can be withdrawn," he said.
Pravin Tupe, joint city engineer, said, "The PCMC lifts 367 million litres per day (MLD) water everyday from the Pavana river. This water is treated and supplied to the residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad. We will lift only 294 MLD water from the river after the cut is implemented."
Giving details of measures to be taken to tackle the situation, Sharma said, "There are 745 borewells in the municipal limits out of which 474 are operational. A rapid drive will be conducted to operationalise the non-operational borewells. If the situation turns worse, we will try to operationalise the old water systems in the villages. We will also sink new borewells after identifying suitable spots. Water supply to new constructions would be stopped and no new water connections will be given to people."
Sharma stated that the civic body has prepared a timetable for water supply to each ward in the municipal limits. "We will not effect the cut in areas like Sangvi, Dapodi and Dighi that are already receiving less water. We will reduce supply to areas like Pradhikaran that are receiving supply two times a day," said Sharma.
He clarified that the water cut was not in response to the water cut in Pune. "Emergency steps are being taken in Pune. If we use water sparingly now, we may not have to enforce the emergency measures," he stated.
Pimpri-Chinchwad mayor Aprana Doke urged the administration to take steps to reduce the 30 per cent water leakage that occurs while distributing water to people.