Mumbai
The Chakan industrial hub in Pune is facing a severe water shortage, which has left many factories struggling. The Chakan Industries Association (CIA), representing over 450 members, including multinational corporations and small businesses, has repeatedly requested help from the Maharashtra government but to no avail. Frustrated by this inaction, they recently wrote to Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, asking for personal intervention.
The CIA has been battling water issues for nearly two decades. Despite sending over 30 letters to the Maharashtra Jal Pradhikaran (MJP), their pleas have been ignored. Instead, the MJP has doubled water charges while reducing supply, leading many companies to consider relocating to states like Gujarat, Karnataka, or Tamil Nadu.
Chakan’s industrial area includes two major zones: the MIDC, which spans 9,000 acres and employs over 275,000 workers, and the Free Zone Industrial Area (FZIA), home to the CIA’s members. The FZIA has struggled with water scarcity since its inception. A water supply scheme initiated in 2010 aimed to address these issues, but the promised supply has dwindled from 7.06 million liters per day to just 2 million.
As large industries increasingly rely on costly private tankers for their water needs, concerns grow that this situation could lead to significant job losses in the region. Local activists highlight that despite sufficient water availability, Chakan remains deprived, questioning whether corruption plays a role. The CIA warns that if the water crisis continues, many companies may be forced to leave Maharashtra.
