The irrigation department had carried out closure today after a gap of 400 days. The Pune Municipal Corporation had been opposing the closure of the water supply from the canal as it lifts water from the canal to cater to demand of the city.

“The canal needs frequent maintenance and repair work to ensure the retaining wall does not get damaged. So it has been decided to conduct compulsory one-day closure every month henceforth,” S L Patil, chief engineer, Irrigation and Water Resources, said.

He said the irrigation department will convey to PMC on closure before hand so that the civic administration does necessary arrangements.

Flowing through heart of the city, the 22 km canal from Khadakwasla dam to Hadapsar is surrounded by slums on both sides at many places. The irrigation department regularly recovers beds, suitcases, footwears, tyres, commodes, rickshaw chassis, plastic bottles and garbage packed in plastic bags from the canal.