Kolhapur : With state govt directing all urban local bodies to reduce water consumption by 10% amid drought concerns, Kolhapur Municipal Corporation has decided to curtail daily water supply from Friday, reducing supply time from two hours to one-and-a-half hours a day.
KMC commissioner Dr Rajendra Bharud said, “A 10% reduction in water distribution should be made. Strict action will be taken against illegal and unauthorised tap connection holders.”
Civic officials, however, say water must be conserved to ensure supplies last until Aug 2027 after forecasts of a possible drought next year. At a review meeting of the district drought monitoring committee, collector Dr Vijay Rathod directed authorities to maintain a 10% buffer stock in all dams, excluding dead storage, and prepare for a prolonged dry spell.
Care should be taken to ensure that water is not wasted,” Rathod said. The move comes despite strong public opposition and full storage in the Radhanagari and Kalammawadi dams. KMC is also considering introducing alternate-day water supply in the city from Diwali. The proposal has drawn criticism from residents, who argue that the corporation should first plug leakages and address uneven distribution instead of imposing restrictions. “Strict planning should be done to ensure that there is no water shortage in the district. Leaks should be repaired immediately.