The irrigation department is asking Pune Municipal Corporation to settle a hefty ₹700 crore in water dues, raising concerns about municipal finances.
The state’s water resources minister, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, recently told civic bodies to step up their game on recycling water and managing it better. It’s clear that water management is becoming a priority.
Rajendra Bhosale, the municipal commissioner, mentioned they got the letter and will discuss the unpaid dues with the team before responding.
But here’s the kicker: an anonymous civic official expressed concerns about how they’d handle other municipal expenses if they paid this huge amount. They worry that funding for essential projects like land acquisition, sewage treatment, and even the metro project could take a hit.
So, it looks like the PMC has some tough decisions ahead. Balancing the budget while managing water dues is no small feat.