Pimpri Chinchwad Mayor Directs Summer Water Action Plan to Address Critical Shortage
In response to escalating water scarcity concerns, Pimpri Chinchwad Mayor Ravi Landge has issued a directive to the civic administration to formulate a comprehensive 'summer action plan'. This initiative aims to secure adequate water supply for residents until the monsoon season arrives, addressing the dual challenges of surging demand and declining groundwater levels post-March.
Historical Context and Current Supply Challenges
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has been implementing alternate-day water supply since 2019, a measure necessitated by allocation shortages and rapid population growth. Currently, the civic body relies on multiple sources: 530 million liters per day (MLD) from the Pavana River, 100 MLD from the Andra Dam, and an additional 30 MLD from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
Addressing Low Water Pressure and Infrastructure Issues
Mayor Landge highlighted that low water pressure is a significant factor exacerbating the shortage. He emphasized to TOI that even if supply durations are reduced from the current two to two-and-a-half hours to just one-and-a-half hours, maintaining adequate pressure is crucial for effective distribution.
Impact on Rapidly Developing Areas
The water crisis is particularly acute in fast-growing localities such as Chikhali, Charholi, Moshi, Ravet, and Kiwale, where residential projects are booming but water sources remain limited. To mitigate this, Landge has instructed civic officials to arrange water tankers in areas where builders fail to provide sufficient supply, ensuring residents are not left without essential resources.
Enforcement Measures and Developer Accountability
Earlier this week, PCMC issued warnings to developers, threatening action if they do not fulfill their commitments to supply water to housing societies. This comes despite builders having submitted undertakings to manage supply until the civic body can ensure full coverage. The corporation clarified that achieving 100% water supply is contingent on completing ongoing projects, including the Bhama Askhed scheme, which has a capacity of 167 MLD.
Leakage Control and Illegal Connections
In addition to the summer plan, Mayor Landge has directed officials to intensify efforts to curb water leakage and take strict action against illegal connections. These measures are part of a broader strategy to optimize existing resources and reduce wastage.
Population Growth and Future Water Demands
According to PCMC data, the city's population is estimated to have surpassed 30 lakh, requiring a minimum of 720-750 MLD of water. Civic officials note an average annual population growth rate of 7%, projecting figures to reach 51 lakh by 2031 and 96 lakh by 2041. To meet this escalating demand, the municipal body is seeking additional water allocation from the Mulshi Dam, though government decisions on this matter are still pending.
The summer action plan represents a proactive step by PCMC to address immediate water shortages while planning for long-term sustainability, as the city grapples with the pressures of urbanization and climate variability.
