Alandi residents struggle with scarcity, forced to buy water daily amid civic gaps

Pune: Residents of temple town Alandi are paying a hefty cost to survive because irregular and inadequate potable water supply by the civic council has forced them to buy water on a daily basis upping their financial burden."We spend Rs30 to Rs50 on water every day. It adds up to a huge monthly expense for a middle-class or poor family. We are forced to pay for what is our basic right," said local resident Sunita Shinde.Meanwhile, the Alandi Municipal Council (AMC) admitted it had been unable to meet the town's growing water needs.At present, the town relies on water supplied through a connection to the Pune Municipal Corporation's pipeline via the Kuruli tap station. However, the arrangement is temporary. AMC president Prashant Kurhade told TOI: "We are to receive water for 10 years under the agreement. Seven years have passed and we are working against time for a permanent solution."The population of Alandi exceeds 25,000 added to which is the much larger floating population of devotees. Resultantly, the town requires around 20 MLD water and barely receives 10 MLD. Civic supply is limited to only once every three days in many areas. It leaves people with no option, but to buy water, said residents.The situation is aggravated by Alandi's status as a major pilgrimage centre, home to the revered Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj temple. Thousands of devotees visit daily, significantly increasing the water demand. Around 70 marriage halls host over 50 weddings every day, spiking the consumption even further.AMC chief officer Madhav Khandekar said, "Water demand in Alandi is not just for the residents' need. The influx of pilgrims and events put an enormous pressure on our limited supply."The municipal council has proposed a Rs370-crore project to draw water through a dedicated pipeline from the Chaskaman dam to address the crisis.The project is being described as a potential lifeline for the town. Authorities have also submitted a water reservation proposal to the irrigation department and are planning infrastructure upgrades, including overhead tanks and expanded distribution networks.Yet, for many residents, these plans offer little immediate relief. "We would not be facing such a severe shortage today had the authorities acted in time with a long-term vision. People are paying from their pockets every day because of administrative delays," said activist Arjun Medankar."People of Alandi continue to queue up for water, bearing the cost of a crisis that shows no quick resolution. Until long-pending infrastructure projects move from paper to reality, access to safe and regular drinking water will remain a daily uncertainty and an unavoidable expense. The issue should have been addressed years ago, " said lawyer activist Vikas Kate.
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