Pune corporators oppose irrigation department’s demand of Rs 935 crore dues for additional water

Pune: Newly elected corporators, including those from the ruling BJP, have objected to the irrigation department's demand of approximately Rs 935 crore in water charges. The department has claimed that the civic body must pay this amount as charges and arrears for drawing water beyond its sanctioned quota since 2016.The allocated quota for Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is 14.6 TMC. However, the administration has reportedly been drawing between 18 TMC and 20 TMC of water annually. The civic body attributed the increased usage to population growth following the merger of 32 villages, along with a rise in the floating population. The civic water supply department has sought a revision of the quota, stating that it should be increased to at least 21 TMC.
"The administration must make efforts to resolve this issue amicably. The city is expanding rapidly, and so is the water demand. Drawing additional water has become a necessity and is meant solely for the citizens. Discrimination against the citizens of Pune is unjust," said Nilesh Nikam, leader of the opposition in PMC.PMC's jurisdiction expanded from 334sqkm to 518sqkm after the merger of 34 villages, making it the largest municipal corporation in the state and surpassing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which covers approximately 440sqkm."We oppose the demand. The issue will be raised with the state govt. The civic body should not be required to pay these unjust dues. The matter is already being pursued through legal channels," said Ganesh Bidkar, BJP party leader in PMC.In July 2025, PMC formally requested the irrigation department to sanction a 21 TMC annual water quota for the financial year 2025–26. However, the department approved only 14.6 TMC."The quota sanctioned by the irrigation department is insufficient. The city's population has crossed 80 lakh, including a substantial floating population. The water supply must be adequate to meet this demand. PMC is also taking steps to reduce water wastage and leakage. The equitable water supply scheme was introduced to conserve water. Therefore, PMC should be allocated a higher quota," said a senior PMC official.