Pune, 25th July 2026: As population of the city continues to grow, so does the demand for water. To secure future water availability, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Standing Committee has proposed the formation of a joint committee to remove accumulated silt from the Khadakwasla dam project, which includes the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar dams. The proposal has been forwarded to the civic administration for its opinion before any further decision is taken.
The proposal was submitted by Standing Committee members Prashant Jagtap and Vishal Dhanawade. They said that years of silt accumulation have gradually reduced the useful storage capacity of the reservoirs, making Pune more vulnerable to water shortages during years of poor rainfall. The reduced storage has often forced the civic body to impose water cuts and alternate-day water supply.
The proposal also highlights concerns over the deteriorating quality of drinking water. Rapid population growth around the dam catchment areas, unregulated construction and the discharge of untreated sewage into reservoirs are affecting water quality. It stresses the need for coordinated efforts to protect these water sources while increasing their storage capacity.
To address these issues, the proposal recommends setting up a joint committee comprising representatives from the Central Government, Ministry of Defence, Maharashtra Government, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Pune Zilla Parishad and Pune Municipal Corporation.
The committee would prepare an action plan covering desilting of dams, sewage management, prevention of encroachments and measures to curb pollution. It would also identify financial contributions from all participating agencies and recommend starting the work before the end of this year.
The committee would prepare an action plan covering desilting of dams, sewage management, prevention of encroachments and measures to curb pollution. It would also identify financial contributions from all participating agencies and recommend starting the work before the end of this year.
The Standing Committee has sought a detailed report from the civic administration on the proposal. Based on the administration's feedback, the committee will decide the next course of action.
The proposal is being viewed as an important step towards strengthening Pune's long-term water security by improving the capacity of existing reservoirs instead of relying solely on new water sources.
