Pune: The Water Resources Department has served a notice to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), demanding ₹714 crore in outstanding dues for excessive water usage and water pollution. This includes ₹174 crore for the current year and an immediate demand for ₹200 crore as part of the overdue payment.
The notice was issued following repeated violations by the PMC in exceeding its allocated water quota. According to the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, penalties are imposed for using water beyond approved limits.
Since 2016, the PMC has neither paid these penalties nor adhered to the guidelines mandating the supply of 6.5 TMC of treated wastewater for irrigation, in place since 2005.
The Water Resources Department alleges that PMC has been polluting 13 TMC of water annually, comprising 6.5 TMC from excessive usage and 6.5 TMC from untreated water. Despite several follow-ups over five years, no penalties have been paid.
While PMC has consistently requested an increase in its water quota to 21 TMC to cater to the city's growing population, only 11.5 TMC has been approved. However, the corporation has been drawing an additional 5.5 to 8 TMC annually, prompting the notice.
Breakdown of Outstanding Dues:
Arrears for approved water reservation: ₹61.87 crore
Penalty for excess water usage beyond norms: ₹111.98 crore
Pollution Control Board penalties: ₹540.75 crore
Total outstanding amount: ₹714.60 crore
Nandakumar Jagtap, Head of PMC’s Water Supply Department, said, “We have consulted the Municipal Commissioner, and some amount will be allocated to the Water Resources Department from classified funds.
Time has been requested to discuss and resolve the issue with the department. Additionally, the PMC has appealed to the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, and the matter is under verification.”
