The state has a special New Year gift for the western and eastern suburbs — an additional 100 million litres of water per day (MLD) from Bhatsa dam.
Currently the city receives 3,250 MLD, while its requirement is 4,000 MLD — a shortfall of 750 MLD.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Anil Diggikar said: “We met state irrigation and water resources minister Ajit Pawar today and he has agreed to supply 100 MLD additional water from Bhatsa dam, which will be divided in the western and eastern suburbs.”
Of the extra 100 MLD, 50 MLD will be released in the next three days and the rest will be released in a month’s time, as the state has to expand its pumping capacity at the Pise pumping station.
“This additional supply will last for the next two years. Till then the Middle Vaitarna project, which has capacity to supply 455 MLD, would be ready,” Diggikar said.
The municipal corporation had constructed the Bhatsa dam in 1979 in a joint venture with the state government. While the corporation had paid for about 77 per cent of the total cost of construction, the state has invested 33 per cent.
So, as per the agreement, the city can receive 1,300 MLD. However, the BMC currently takes about 2,020 MLD from Bhatsa dam to meet the growing requirement.
{{/usCountry}}So, as per the agreement, the city can receive 1,300 MLD. However, the BMC currently takes about 2,020 MLD from Bhatsa dam to meet the growing requirement.
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