MLA Siddharth Shirole Calls for Rainwater Harvesting and Well Conservation to Address Pune’s Water Scarcity
Reported by Tikam Shekhawat
Mumbai/Pune, 3rd July 2024: MLA Siddharth Shirole emphasized the urgent need for implementing a rainwater harvesting scheme and conserving old wells to tackle the ongoing water scarcity in Pune. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Shirole highlighted the city’s critical water situation and proposed actionable solutions.
“The water shortage in Pune is not a new issue,” Shirole stated. “Frequent low rainfall due to climate change, dams not being filled to capacity, and the increasing demand for water have all contributed to this annual problem.”
Shirole noted that the groundwater level in Pune is steadily decreasing. “The increasing concretization has significantly reduced the soil’s water percolation capacity. There is no water even 300 feet underground,” he pointed out.
In response to Shirole’s suggestions, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that instructions would be issued to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the strict implementation of a rainwater harvesting scheme. “The proposal made by MLA Shirole is essential for addressing the city’s water situation,” Fadnavis said on behalf of the government.
Shirole stressed that a properly implemented rainwater harvesting scheme could mitigate the water scarcity problem to some extent. He urged the government to formulate and rigorously enforce a new rainwater harvesting policy.
Additionally, Shirole called for the preservation and conservation of the many old wells in Pune. “A permanent policy for the conservation of wells must be established to ensure sustainable water management in the city,” he demanded.
The MLA’s proposals aim to provide long-term solutions to Pune’s recurring water issues, promoting both modern and traditional methods of water conservation.
