Pune: On the occasion of Holi, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has appealed to citizens to use water carefully, as for last few years, the city has been facing water crunch in June and July. According to water supply department, there is only three per cent more water in the dams as compared to last year.
VG Kulkarni, Chief Superintendent of water supply department said, “We want to appeal to people to avoid unnecessary wastage of water. It is a usual practice to use excessive water during Holi. People should not use drinking water to celebrate the festival in the city.”
The city gets water from four dams- Varasgaon, Khadakwasla, Panset and Temghar. Temghar dam doesn't have water as it is under repair. So, only three dams are supplying water to Pune. At present, there is 16.01 Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMC) water (54.92 per cent) in the dams. Last year, it was 15.01 TMC (51.19 per cent).
In Varasgaon dam, there is 57.17 per cent (7.3 TMC) of water. Khadakwasla and Panset dams have 73.53 per cent (1.45 TMC) and 67.88 TMC (7.23 TMC) water available respectively.
PB Shelar, Executive Engineer of water resource department of the State said, “We have given oral instructions to corporations to save water during summer. In Holi, water is used excessively in the city. So, we have told the corporation to take precautionary measures.”
He pointed out, “Water in dams is only three per cent more as compared to last year in the same days."
