PUNE: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the civic body is all set to impose water cut in the city from Monday, however, the Congress has made a demand that water cut should be implemented after Diwali festival.
Former Member of Legislative Council (MLA) Mohan Joshi met City Mayor Mukta Tilak on Thursday and demanded to postpone the decision till the festival of lights is over. Joshi said, “We have informed the mayor that as there is 26,000 million litres per day (TMC) water in dams so regular water supply can be maintained till the end of Diwali festival. If the PMC decides to implement this decision in Diwali, people will suffer and face problems. The city gets 1,350 million litres per day (MLD) water from the Irrigation Department. The corporation should continue to have the same amount of water supply and postpone the decision of water cut.”
Earlier, civic officials had written a letter to Khadakwasla Division on October 11. It had been mentioned that as per the Canal Committee’s decision on October 4, it has been decided that Khadakwasla Division reduced water quota of the PMC from 1,350 MLD to 1,150 MLD. “Based on the decision, the civic body is preparing the water supply schedule of the city. However, the festival season is on. If water quota during the festival is reduced, then we will have to face a strong reaction from the people. Hence, it looks difficult to implement water cut in Pune city. We are ready to lift 1,150 MLD water from the dam after Diwali,” stated the civic officials in the letter.
