This surplus of 2.5 TMC is equivalent to approximately 45 days of the city’s water requirement, providing a substantial cushion as the summer approaches. Irrigation department sources said the extended monsoon played a key role in ensuring sufficient stock of water in the four dams that supply water to the city.Officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s water supply department said they have received no communication from the irrigation department regarding supply curtailments. “With adequate storage in all four dams in the Khadakwasla circle and also in Bhama Askhed dam, the civic administration expects an uninterrupted supply through the peak summer months,” an official said.With the winter season about to end, the state irrigation department on Tuesday decided to stop release of water for winter crops considering the significantly high water levels at this time of the year.“We are currently concluding the first water release rotation for winter crops,” said an irrigation department official. “The next rotation is expected to start within the next 15 days. If the release begins in March, it will be classified as a summer water rotation. A final decision will be made during the Khadakwasla Canal Committee meeting expected to be held in the next couple of weeks under the chairmanship of Sunetra Pawar, the newly appointed guardian minister, to discuss further plans on the allotment of remaining stock of water.“Due to the extended monsoon, the department did not receive any demand for release of water from rural areas till Dec. The water release for winter crops, which generally begins around Oct 15, started only in Dec last year.The irrigation department has started calculations regarding water requirements for the city and for agriculture over the next five months. Officials, however, clarified that any water release schedule for crops will not hamper the ongoing water supply to the city.However, despite the comfortable storage in dams, the irrigation department has urged PMC to reduce daily water consumption. PMC has approached the state water tribunal regarding the ongoing dispute over its sanctioned quota versus the city’s actual requirements. Civic officials said they do not expect any tribunal decision ahead of summer that would negatively impact the current supply.PMC seeks nod for Khadakwasla pipeline repair workThe PMC has approached the state irrigation department for permission to repair the primary pipeline that transports water from Khadakwasla dam to the city. During the repair work, PMC plans to lift water directly from the canal to ensure city supply remains unaffected. Technical details of the proposal are currently being finalised by irrigation officials who have confirmed receiving a letter from the civic body in this regard.
