Pune: The decision to convert canals of the ‘Janai-Shirsai Lift Irrigation Scheme’ into a closed pipeline distribution system will save 1.5 TMC of water annually. This has raised anticipation among Pune residents regarding whether this saved water will be allocated to the city and if local political representatives will demonstrate the necessary will to secure it.
The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a budget of ₹438.48 crore for the Janai-Shirsai Lift Irrigation Scheme. This strengthens Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s influence over Baramati. Under the scheme, 3.6 TMC of water will be sourced annually from the Khadakwasla dam chain project. Previously, water was supplied through open canals, leading to significant losses. The shift to a closed pipeline distribution system will prevent water pilferage and wastage. According to officials from the Water Resources Department, this scheme will not impact Pune’s existing water quota. However, experts suggest that the closed pipeline system will save 1.5 TMC of water annually, sparking demands for Pune to receive this conserved water.
With the inclusion of several villages within the Pune Municipal Corporation limits, the city’s geographical area has expanded significantly. Given the rising population, the PMC has proposed an annual water quota of 21 TMC to the Water Resources Department. However, this proposal has yet to be approved, and the PMC continues to be criticized for exceeding its sanctioned water quota. Against this backdrop, Vivek Velankar, President of Sajag Nagrik Manch, has urged authorities to allocate the saved water from the Janai-Shirsai scheme to Pune. He emphasized that similar water conservation efforts have been made before, such as the closed pipeline from Khadakwasla Dam to the Cantonment Water Center, which has already led to significant water savings.
Meanwhile, once the Janai-Shirsai scheme is fully operational, there may be demands to increase the quota for irrigation, potentially affecting Pune’s future water supply. Experts suggest that preemptive planning is necessary to address this challenge.
The proposed international airport at Purandar requires land acquisition by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The government has decided to fast-track the Janai-Shirsai pipeline project, considering the state’s goal of completing the airport within five years.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar played a key role in securing closed pipelines for the Janai-Shirsai scheme, addressing issues of water theft and leakage that were prevalent in canal-based supply. Pune’s municipal water supply faces similar challenges, with distribution inefficiencies and up to 40% water leakage, as acknowledged by civic officials and local representatives. The city’s Equal Water Distribution Plan, aimed at ensuring fair water access, remains sluggish, and even after implementation, leakage will only be reduced, not eliminated. Pune residents now await decisive action from city leadership to secure the city’s rightful share of water.