The meetings of the canal advisory committees for various dam projects in the district were held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of the district, Ajit Pawar, and in the presence of Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil at the Divisional Commissioner's office on Saturday. Pawar instructed that Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporations should plan water usage strictly until July 15, 2025.
Water allotment for the city and rural parts of the district was decided at the meet.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawar said that agriculture in the Haveli, Indapur, Daund, and Baramati talukas of the district depends on the Sansar Jod Canal. He emphasized making proper water planning for it. He also instructed the concerned authorities to keep all systems ready, complete the work on time, find and repair water leaks. He further suggested that the first cycle of the new Mutha Ujwa Canal should last 55 days instead of 60, and the second cycle should be 45 days instead of 38 for Daund Municipality and other drinking water needs. The tender for the Janai-Shirsai Upsa Irrigation Scheme work has been approved, and high-quality pipelines should be used. Contractors delaying the work will be blacklisted. He assured that necessary funds will be made available by the government for the Janai-Shirsai Scheme.
Increase in water tarrif lifted
Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil instructed that the approved water should be distributed to all projects according to the project plan. He also mentioned that the increase in the water tariff for lift irrigation has been suspended. Equal water should be provided to farmers in all villages, and action should be taken to ensure smooth circulation in Pandharpur and Sangola. He emphasized that approved water should be provided to the Sansar junction canal and that necessary canal repairs should be completed within a week. He also highlighted the importance of water reuse and suggested installing meters to control water consumption.
Minister Bharne stated that 3.9 TMC of water has been approved for the Sansar junction canal. This canal had not been included in the irrigation plan, but providing water as per the approved storage will prevent problems for farmers in Indapur taluka.
Minister of State Misal emphasized that pending canal works in the city should be completed immediately. The Municipal Corporation should take swift action regarding water leakage in the city related to the Bhilarewadi dam.
MP Sule suggested that the Purandar Upsa Irrigation Scheme should be smoothened, and funds should be allocated in the budget for the tunnel at Bhekrainagar. She also stressed the need to address the increasing pollution in the Khadakwasla area.
Current status
Currently, 18.36 TMC of water storage is available in the Khadakwasla project, an increase from the previous year’s 16.56 TMC. A total of 17.26 TMC of water storage is available for irrigation and non-irrigation purposes. Meanwhile, the Pune Municipal Corporation has made 1.25 TMC of water storage available through the Baby Canal from the Mundhwa Jackwell.
A review was conducted regarding water planning, water usage, and available water storage in the Khadakwasla, Pavana, Chasakaman, Bhama Askhed, and Neera canals. Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar requested a review of the Nira right canal, the resolution of issues related to Krishna, Dhom, and Gunjawani canals, and the fair distribution of water.
Former MLA Ram Satpute called for an increase in the water to ensure Solapur district receives water for 12 months, along with a proper planning of water distribution.
Public representatives from Pune and Solapur districts, as well as officials from the Irrigation Department, attended the meeting.
On this occasion, Minister Dattatray Bharne, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, MP Medha Kulkarni, MLA Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, Vijay Shivtare, Rahul Kool, Chetan Tupe, Siddharth Shirole, Bhimrao Tapkir, Hemant Rasane, Bapusaheb Pathare, Dnyaneshwar alias Mauli Katke, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shekhar Singh, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, Executive Director of the Irrigation Department Atul Kapole, as well as Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, and MP Supriya Sule were present through a video conference.
