First time in Pimpri’s history, once-a-day water supply to take effect

Over 20 years ago, entire Pimpri-Chinchwad used to get round the clock water.

The PCMC has been forced to take the step as the water level in Pavana dam has sunk to a ‘historic low’. ( Express photo by: Rajesh Stephen )

Around 18 lakh residents in Pimpri-Chinchwad will have to brace for once-a-day water supply from this week–a move which will be first of its kind since the municipal corporation came into being 30 years ago. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will take a decision to bring about the water cut at a meeting on Tuesday.

“A meeting of officials and corporators will be held on Tuesday to decide the water cut,” said city engineer Mahavir Kamble. The Rajiv Jadhav administration had already decided last week to effect the water cut, but wanted the corporators to be informed before they approved the move.

The PCMC has been forced to take the step as the water level in Pavana dam, which caters to the water needs of the industrial town, has sunk to what officials describe as a historic low. Pavana dam which is located in Maval area, where this time of the season it rains heavily, has had a dry spell like the rest of the country.

“As of June 30, the storage in Pavana dam is 16.6 per cent of its total capacity,” said Kamble. Once the water cuts take effect, water will be available for only two to three hours a day to the entire town, officials said.

PCMC officials said the current storage level is the lowest Pavana has reached in its history. “On June 20, last year, Pavana dam had around 39 per cent storage. This year, it had around 19 per cent storage,” said Kamble.

Civic officials and former corporators said if the dam has sunk to a historic low, another historic event will be created if PCMC starts supplying water once a day. “I don’t recall, in the last 20-25 years, that a situation such as this has emerged due to lack of monsoon urging the PCMC to supply water once a day ,” said former PCMC corporator Eknath Mote.

Over 20 years ago, entire Pimpri-Chinchwad used to get round the clock water.

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However, over the years, as population increased, new areas came up and buildings expanded horizontally and rose vertically, and water shortages began to be felt. From 24 hours, the supply reduced to ten hours, then eight hours and finally six hours. On an experimental basis, PCMC has implemented a round the clock water supply scheme in Yamunanagar area. “This will stop.Yamunanagar will also get 2-3 hours supply once the cut takes effect,” said officials.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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