Sachin Warghade, a water expert working with the non-governmental organisation, Prayas, said the impact of water consumption by the Lavasa Lake City project on availability of water for irrigation in Pune district has to be taken into account.
Sachin Warghade, a water expert working with the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Prayas, said the impact of water consumption by the Lavasa Lake City project on availability of water for irrigation in Pune district has to be taken into account.
DNA had on Friday reported that the expert appraisal committee (EAC), which examined the hill project earlier this month, had scathing words for the company’s conduct of operations at the project site.
Among the most alarming side-effects pointed out by the committee is the possibility that the construction of check-dams and consumption of water by the 2.2 lakh people who will reside in the lake city may threaten Pune city’s water supply.
It pointed out that Lavasa intends to draw water from the same source that feeds the backwaters of Warasgaon dam, Pune’s main water source.
To prevent water shortage, the committee said the supply norms may need to be reduced from 300 litres per consumer per day to 200 litres.
Warghade, reacting to the report, said 50% water from Khadakwasla system — comprising the four dams of Khadakwasla, Panshet, Warasgaon and Temghar — is already diverted from irrigation to non-irrigation purposes for Pune city and industries. Hence, the impact of use of water by Lavasa on availability of water for irrigation has to be considered.
He said water storage in dams depends on the monsoon every year. Due to the peculiar location of Lavasa, it could happen that the dam for Lavasa is filled, while the Warasgaon dam is not. In such a situation, the question of right over water would arise.
Lavasa is a luxury project and should have last priority, while irrigation should get top priority.
Chairman of Gomukh Environmental Trust for Sustainable Development, Vijay Paranjpye told DNA that the current gross water consumption at Lavasa Lake City (with a total residential population of 25,000) is 5 million litres per day (MLD), which is 0.5% of the gross consumption of Pune (1,000 MLD).
He said that at full development of Lavasa project in 2021, Pune’s gross water demand is likely to increase to 2,000 MLD, excluding groundwater. Lavasa, with a projected population of 3 lakh residents and tourists, will require 60 MLD, ie 3% of Pune’s projected demand.
He said that assuming 80% water is released into the river, the net consumption of water by Pune city is currently 200 MLD, while that at Lavasa is 1 MLD. By 2021, the net consumption of water in Pune will increase to 400 MLD, while that in Lavasa will be 12 MLD.
Meanwhile, spokesman of Lavasa, Ravindra Lohokare, said he would not comment on the report.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}