Pune dams better placed than rest

With just a month for monsoon,the civic administration and the irrigation department are confident of not enforcing water cut if the citizens ensure proper use of water.

The city had to face over 30 per cent water cut last year when the dams were down to 10 per cent capacity. This year,the city is able to meet its demand of drinking water from Panshet,Varasgaon,Temghar and Khadakwasla dams. The present live storage capacity of the dams is 23.74,22.44,0 and 11.68 per cent respectively.

“The situation of live storage in the dams is better than last year despite the dams not filled to its full capacity last monsoon. The total live storage capacity is 20.18 per cent compared to 19.06 per cent last year this time,but a plan is in place to ensure that drinking water supply lasts till July 15,” said Shivaji Bolbhat,superintending engineer,irrigation department,Pune division.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been asked not to misuse water and appeal to citizens to not waste water,he said. “It has been planned that if water cut is needed,it will be limited to 10 per cent. We will take stock of the situation next week and will give further directions to the civic body.”

The irrigation department is hoping for timely onset of monsoon by first week of June. If the monsoon gets delayed,then the water in dams has to be supplied for irrigation,Bolbhat said.

PMC development engineer Pramod Nirbhavane said the present situation is much better than that last year during this time. “The PMC introduces water cut only if there is decrease in supply from the irrigation department. There has been no communication on water cut as yet and it seems unlikely considering the availability and planning,” he said.

The civic body has been following instructions of the irrigation department and also initiated steps of equitable distribution of water in the city,Nirbhavane said.

Total
Storage Levels
20.18per cent in 2010
19.06per cent this time last year