Pune, a city that used to have plenty of water from its dams and rivers, is now facing a big water problem. With 7.4 million people living here, many families, about 35%, don’t have enough water every day, especially during the hot summer months. The city needs 1,750 million liters of water each day, but it can only supply 1,350 million liters. This means there’s a shortage of 400 million liters of water each day.
There are several reasons for this water crisis. First, the water levels in reservoirs are down by 23% compared to last year. Also, the pipes and infrastructure are old, causing 32% of the water to be wasted through leaks. The city is growing very fast, which has put a lot of pressure on the water supply system. Many parts of the city haven’t seen any upgrades in over 20 years, making the water delivery system very inefficient.
Areas like Baner, Balewadi, and Wagholi are suffering the most. People in these places only get water for 2 to 4 hours every other day. Because of this, many families have to buy water from private tankers, spending around Rs. 5,000-8,000 each month, which is a 45% increase from last year.
This water problem is hurting businesses as well. Local shops are working 15% less efficiently, hospitals are having trouble providing services, schools have cut down their hours by 25%, and hotels are spending 30% more money to buy water.
To help solve this issue, the Pune municipal corporation has proposed a big plan worth Rs. 2,800 crore. This plan will improve water pipes, find and fix leaks, and use smart meters over five years. They want to decrease water loss to 15% and add 500 million liters of water each day by building new treatment plants and connecting more reservoirs.
The authorities are also planning to fine people who waste water. Fines will range from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000 for different kinds of waste. This shows they’re serious about fixing the water crisis in Pune.
