Advertisement
When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has received a notice from the Maharashtra irrigation department demanding payment of INR 143 crore towards pending water charges and penalties linked to alleged excess consumption and inadequate sewage treatment. The department has warned of possible suspension of water supply if dues remain unpaid. Civic officials have contested the demand, stating that the charges include disputed components such as industrial tariffs and penalties. The dispute comes at a time when the city already faces supply constraints, receiving water from Pavana and Andra dams while operating on alternate-day distribution. The issue highlights ongoing tensions between urban local bodies and state agencies over water allocation, billing practices and environmental compliance.
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has been served a notice by the Maharashtra irrigation department in the past week seeking payment of INR 143 crore towards outstanding water dues and penalties, with authorities warning of a potential cut in water supply if the amount is not cleared. The demand relates to alleged excess water usage and lapses in sewage treatment, prompting a renewed dispute between the civic body and the state agency. Advertisement
According to the notice, the dues include charges for raw water drawn from the Pavana dam as well as penalties imposed for inadequate treatment of sewage. The irrigation department has stated that the municipal corporation is treating only around 275 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage against an installed capacity of 345 MLD, resulting in untreated discharge into river systems. It has also raised concerns over insufficient reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation purposes.
The department has further alleged that the civic body is drawing water beyond its sanctioned quota, cautioning that such practices could aggravate shortages, particularly during peak summer months. In response, PCMC officials have denied the claim, maintaining that water extraction remains within approved limits and that the demand includes contested charges.
Officials from the municipal corporation have indicated that the dispute is not new and has been ongoing for several years, with repeated objections raised over billing calculations. They have argued that the application of industrial water charges is incorrect, as bulk industrial supply in the region is managed by other agencies. The civic body has also pointed out that raw water tariffs have increased significantly in recent years, leading to a rise in annual bills from around INR 25 crore to nearly INR 75 crore.
The financial burden comes amid already high operational expenditure on water supply, with the civic body spending approximately INR 400 crore annually on sourcing, treatment and distribution. At present, the city receives about 520 MLD from the Pavana dam and 100 MLD from the Andra dam, which remains insufficient against an estimated requirement of 720-750 MLD. This shortfall has resulted in alternate-day water supply across several parts of the city.
Additional water allocation of 167 MLD from the Bhama Askhed dam has been sanctioned, but infrastructure works, including pipeline development, are still underway. Proposals for further allocation from the Mulshi dam are also pending approval, indicating continued dependence on state-level decisions for long-term supply augmentation.
The irrigation department's warning of supply disruption has raised concerns about the potential impact on residents and industrial activity, particularly as the city enters a high-demand period. With discussions underway between the two agencies, the outcome of the dispute is expected to determine not only the immediate financial liability but also the framework for water pricing, allocation and compliance in one of Maharashtra's rapidly growing urban centres.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
