Overview
- State water authorities issued a February 17 notice giving the Pune Municipal Corporation 15 days to clear ₹932.88 crore in unpaid charges or face suspension of releases from Khadakwasla.
- By January 31, PMC had used 11.23 TMC of its 11.60 TMC annual allocation, and officials estimate the remaining stock could last roughly 12–15 days.
- Department records say PMC lifted 20.44 TMC in 2024–25 against its 11.60 TMC quota, which attracts Maharashtra Water Regulatory Authority penalty rates of 1.5 to 3 times for excess withdrawals.
- PMC disputes the calculations and tariff classification, claims it has already paid ₹400 crore extra, has challenged the notice before the Maharashtra Water Tribunal, and is seeking a state-level meeting to resolve the standoff.
- Operational strains deepened as PMC confirmed sewage contamination at 60–70 sites and a major pumping-line leak disrupted supply, while in Pimpri-Chinchwad the mayor ordered fixes, moved to replace the Bhama Askhed pipeline contractor, flagged roughly 40% leakage, and PMC pledged to start new Undri–Mahadevwadi tanks within 15–20 days.