Pune, 3rd August 2026: Mayor Manjusha Nagpure has urged Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil to approve an additional 25 TMC annual water quota for the city, citing the city's rapidly increasing population and rising demand for drinking water.
During a meeting with the minister, the mayor said the existing water allocation is no longer sufficient to meet Pune's current and future requirements. She stressed that additional water must be sanctioned now to prevent a long-term water crisis.
Apart from seeking additional water allocation, Nagpure proposed the creation of a state-level mission for the revival of the Mula-Mutha River.
The proposal includes:
Desilting the river to improve its flow.
Strengthening pollution control measures.
Preparing an integrated flood management plan.
Improving the overall ecological health of the river.
She also requested a special desilting drive for the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar dams to increase their storage capacity.
The mayor also urged the Water Resources Department to immediately issue the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) for two proposed bridges in the Dhayari area. According to her, these bridges are essential to ease persistent traffic congestion in the locality.
Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil assured the mayor that the government would examine the proposals positively.
The demand for additional water comes as Pune's official water allocation has remained largely unchanged despite rapid urban expansion.
Authorities currently allocate 11.60 TMC of water annually to Pune. However, official figures show that during 2024-25, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) consumed 8.84 TMC more water than its approved quota.
| Year/Period | Estimated Annual Demand | Official Allocation | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ~17.3 TMC | 11.5–12 TMC | ~5.5 TMC |
| 2020 | ~18 TMC | 11.5 TMC | ~6.5 TMC |
| 2022-23 | 20.34 TMC | 12.41 TMC | 7.93 TMC |
| 2024-25 | ~21–22 TMC | ~12.4 TMC | ~9 TMC |
| 2025-26 | ~22 TMC | 11.60 TMC | ~10.4 TMC |
The city's water requirement has steadily increased over the years while the allocation from the Irrigation Department has remained almost constant.
Officials and civic representatives believe the widening gap highlights the urgent need to revise Pune's water allocation to support its growing population, expanding urban limits and future development.