The Water Resources Department has increased the water tariff for Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), which will cost the corporation around Rs 100 crore. In order to maintain water supply in the face of the increasing population, the PCMC has already started preparations to lift water from three water sources namely Andhra, Bhama-Aaskhed and Pawana. However, this will come at a huge cost.
Earlier, the Municipal Corporation was getting water from the Water Resources Department at the rate of 55 paise per 1000 liters of water. According to the new rate, this rate has been increased to 1 rupee 10 paise. Pimpri-Chinchwad city requires about 510 MLD of water every day. Accordingly, earlier the annual water bill of the Municipal Corporation was about Rs 26 crore, which will now increase to Rs 52 crore.
Apart from this, if water is lifted in excess of the sanctioned quota, i.e. 100 MLD, then Rs 2.20 will be charged for every 1000 liters. Therefore, the Municipal Corporation will have to pay about Rs 74 crore for the additional water. This expenditure is in addition to the regular charges. This increased charge will add a lot to the total expenditure of the water supply department.
The Municipal Corporation has planned to lift 100 MLD from Andhra Dam, 267 MLD from Bhama-Aashkhed Dam and additional water from Pawana Dam. In all these three projects, the Municipal Corporation will have to pay a total of Rs 279 crore to the Water Resources Department over the next five years for rehabilitation and other related expenses.
This price hike is likely to have a direct impact on the citizens of the city, and municipal sources have expressed the possibility of having to increase the water tariff in the near future. Currently, water is supplied to the city every other day. Therefore, the situation is becoming more complicated due to increased demand and limited supply.