Pune may turn to Bhama Askhed for water

PUNE: The ongoing water crisis has brought into sharp focus the need for another source of water to quench the thirst of Pune's burgeoning population. The city, which at present is completely dependent on the Khadakwasla dam for all its water requirements, seems to have few feasible options for exploiting other sources in future.
Drawing water from the Bhama Askhed dam in Khed taluka is one of the immediate options that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has.The civic body has prepared a Rs 260 crore plan and has sought financial help from the state and central governments.
The option of taking water from the Bhama Askhed dam, about 40 kilometres from Pune, was first announced by former municipal commissioner Pravinsinh Pardeshi when he had presented the civic budget for the year 2008-09. If the state irrigation department allows, the PMC hopes to draw around 200 MLD of water from the dam built over river Bhama. A high power committee of the irrigation department would be considering the PMC's request for drawing water.
If approved and successful, the water supply project will help in catering to the water requirements of Hadapsar, Chandannagar, Kharadi, Vadgaon Sheri, Vishrantwadi and Nagar road areas.
Officials of the municipal corporation said that while they are pursuing the matter with the irrigation department, a detailed project report with estimates has been prepared, which includes construction of a jackwell near the dam, construction of water purification plant and laying of pipelines for about 40 kms. "The present financial estimates are only for the construction work. Estimates for land acquisition and other consultancy services have not been prepared as yet," officials added.
Though there are other dams in the city's vicinity, laying a pipeline from any of these is not feasible. While the Andra dam over the Indrayani river in Maval taluka is smaller and is quite far, the Pavana dam in Maval taluka already caters to the needs of Pimpri and Chinchwad.
Ground water expert and social worker Mukund Ghare is of the opinion that the authorities ought to give a serious thought to conserving water by creating lakes. "The geographical location of the city and the surrounding hills are conducive for conserving water by creating lakes. New water conservation projects will help in fulfilling the water supply needs in various areas," he said.
Ghare added that rain water harvesting projects should be implemented in new housing projects that are coming up in fringe areas. Ghare, who is closely associated with the Association for Agricultural Renewal in Maharashtra (Afarm), also said that available water has to be used sparingly and that water leakages must be curbed under all circumstances.
Drawing water from the Bhama Askhed dam would only partially fulfil the city's water requirement. He observed that water can be brought to the city only if we use advanced construction technology. "However, it will take years for such options to become a reality," he said.