The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has consumed nearly half of its 13 TMC water allocation for 2026-27, with 6.35 TMC used so far.
With the available stock under pressure, the civic body is likely to introduce alternate-day water supply after Diwali, officials said.
Water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and agriculture minister Dattatray Bharane were among those present. “The decision will be taken after Diwali. During the canal committee meeting, the PMC was asked to proceed with further water cuts and supply water on alternate days. Consequently, the dams had not filled sufficiently, leaving the city with limited stocks to meet its requirements.
Additional municipal commissioner Pavneet Kaur said the proposal would be discussed after the festival at a meeting involving the mayor and leaders of all political parties. However, the civic body has not taken any decision on this at present,” Kaur said. She said the monsoon had not been adequate even for standing crops, prompting the irrigation department to release water for agricultural use. “The current stock is not sufficient, and we will have to consider further water cuts after Diwali,” Kaur said.
The issue was discussed at a canal advisory committee meeting chaired by deputy chief minister and Pune district guardian minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar at the divisional commissioner’s office on Thursday.
Pawar called for coordination between elected representatives, municipal corporations and the water resources department to manage drinking water and irrigation requirements. She said the government had decided to keep 10% of the available water allocation as a buffer for drinking water needs.
Pawar said the government would review the situation again in December-January. “Discussions were also underway under the chief minister’s leadership to work out a long-term water supply plan and determine the city’s overall water requirement,” she added.
