The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which recently sought a record from the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency (GSDA) on the number of dug wells and bore wells within its jurisdiction that it could take under control during times of acute water crisis, has been stunned by the statistics it received.

To add to its woes, the PMC has discovered that not all the dug wells and bore wells are in working conditions. "Some have closed down due to disuse, and will need extensive repair before any water can be drawn from them,'' additional municipal commissioner Umakant Dangat said.

Interestingly, had these underground sources of water been in use, they could have been a rich source of water as the water table in the district is very good sometimes just about 25 ft below the surface, officials said.

Another alternative that the PMC officials are trying is to convince the neighboring PCMC to divert some of its water to feasible areas like Bopodi and take at least part of the demand on the city. "We have a good network of pipelines between Bopodi and Pimpri-Chinchwad and it can be put to good use if the PCMC allows,'' said Pramod Nirbhavane, head of water supply department of the PMC.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Vikas Mathkari has demanded that the PMC order suspension of all work on construction sites in the city.