The civic body has also urged residents not to use drinking water for swimming pools, washing vehicles, gardening or cleaning open spaces. (File Photo)With Maharashtra facing a rainfall deficit and the state government directing civic bodies to impose a 10 per cent water cut, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to suspend water supply across the city every Thursday from October 15. The civic body has also banned the use of drinking water for construction and ordered the closure of vehicle washing centres to conserve water until the next monsoon.The measures follow a state government directive citing the impact of El Niño on monsoon rainfall this year and the possibility of its effects continuing into next year. The PMC aims to ensure that the available water lasts until August 31, 2027.“The Maharashtra government has issued an order saying El Niño led to less rainfall this monsoon and its effects are likely to continue next year. Thus, it is necessary to use available water judiciously and plan properly so that it lasts till August 31 next year,” said Pavneet Kaur, Additional Municipal Commissioner.Kaur said the state government had called for micro-planning to ensure efficient use and priority-based distribution of available water. Civic bodies have been directed to implement a 10 per cent water cut and increase it if required, depending on the situation.The dams supplying water to Pune currently hold 26.22 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), lower than the storage recorded during the corresponding period last year.Also Read | Brace for more heat: Worst of El Niño yet to come, peak likely in December“The PMC will introduce a water cut every Thursday starting October 15. The entire city will not receive water supply on Thursdays so that the available water lasts till the next monsoon,” Kaur said.As part of the conservation measures, the PMC has banned the use of drinking water for construction and recommended using greywater instead. All vehicle washing centres have been ordered to shut. The civic body has also urged residents not to use drinking water for swimming pools, washing vehicles, gardening or cleaning open spaces.Story continues below this adThe PMC has appealed to citizens to report leaks and any wastage of drinking water to the civic administration.Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read MoreClick here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our storiesTags:drinking water crisisPune news