Pune district’s rural water crisis has prompted tanker supplies to five villages and 53 hamlets, benefiting approximately 18,650 residents as the administration works to strengthen local water sources and prepare for possible scarcity through June 2027.
According to the Zilla Parishad’s Rural Water Supply Department, eight tankers are currently being deployed in the affected areas. Tanker services are operational in parts of Baramati, Daund and Indapur talukas, with the administration approving additional vehicles according to local requirements.
The department said most tanker trips are being completed according to schedule. Officials are continuing to monitor conditions in the scarcity-affected settlements and have been instructed to take measures needed to maintain adequate supply.
The emergency response is continuing despite Pune district recording average rainfall of 819 mm so far, equivalent to about 95% of its average rainfall. The persistence of scarcity in some rural areas indicates that rainfall totals have not translated into reliable local water availability across all settlements, although the department did not provide a detailed assessment of the reasons for the gap.
To improve longer-term access, the administration has approved 294 new borewell projects at an estimated cost of approximately ₹2.49 crore. The Rural Water Supply Department reported that drilling for all these projects has been completed.
A further 611 borewell repair works have also been approved, with an estimated allocation of ₹2.56 crore. The repairs are intended to restore defunct borewells and improve the output of sources that are currently supplying inadequate quantities of water. The administration is also acquiring private wells and borewells where necessary to support supply in areas facing scarcity.
The government has separately granted administrative approval for special repairs to 33 rural piped water-supply schemes. Approval has also been given for 10 water-source strengthening works and 21 projects involving well deepening and desilting. Together, these works have received approximately ₹5.36 crore in sanctioned funding.
The department reported that work under regional water-supply schemes at Morgaon, Regional Bele and Regional Shivri has been completed. The projects form part of the district’s broader effort to improve the reliability of rural supply beyond tanker operations.
The district administration and the Rural Water Supply Department are now preparing a contingency plan covering October 2026 to June 2027. The plan is intended to guide action if water scarcity continues or intensifies during the period. Officials will continue monitoring local conditions and implement supply measures based on the requirements reported from individual villages and hamlets.
