Pune: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has accepted that the water resources department officials met him recently and they have proposed to cut down the water supply to Pune city by two TMC. This water will then be diverted for agricultural purposes in the district. Pawar however also clarified that the decision has been ‘postponed’ until the gram panchayat elections are over.
Ajit Pawar made these revelations during the Bhama Askhed Dam water project launch program. With the completion of the Bhama Askhed project and the water supply through it to eastern parts of Pune resuming, the Water Resources Department has already begun its planning to cut down the drinking water supply from Khadakwasla dam cluster to Pune city.
Mayor Murlidhar Mohol has requested to not proceed with this decision. “The drinking water demand of the city has increased over years and with the newly included 23 villages in the Pune Municipal Corporation limits, the drinking water supply should not be reduced,” Mohol said. BJP Kothrud MLA Chandrakant Patil also stressed on this point and appealed to Ajit ‘Dada’ to not cut down the water supply quota meant for the city.
After the two leaders raised the concerns, Ajit Pawar during his speech did accept that the water resources department officials had met him recently about the possible 2 TMC supply reduction. “Water supply for agricultural purposes is falling short. Hence, we had to bring in water from the Bhama Askhed dam project. The water resources department officials feel that 2 TMC water from Khadakwasla cluster should be diverted for agriculture. But I have told them that the decision regarding this will be taken in a joint meeting once the gram panchayat elections are over,” Pawar said.
