Pune car wash restrictions during the festive season have divided vehicle-washing and detailing centres, with some operators suspending services to comply with Pune Municipal Corporation directions while others continue using private wells or borewells. The dispute comes as the civic body has imposed curbs on vehicle washing amid a water crisis and demand is expected to rise around Dasara.
A senior representative of The Detailing Guys on NIBM Link Road said the centre would follow the PMC’s directions, although the restrictions could affect its business. “We will follow the PMC’s directives. This is, however, a worrisome situation and there has to be some solution,” the representative said.
Other operators said the restrictions would not affect their work because they do not depend on the corporation’s water supply. A representative of Rapid Wash 360 in Mohammadwadi said the centre used borewell water and would continue operating. The representative said the centre expected a rush on Tuesday because of Dasara.
Nitin Balwarkar, owner of Blue Shine Washing Centre and Detailing near Undri Chowk, also said his business did not receive PMC water. He said the centre used water from a private well and would continue providing services to customers on Tuesday.
A vehicle-washing centre in Dhayari reported heavy demand on Monday, with workers expecting further enquiries during the festival. A representative said the centre could not turn customers away and argued that the PMC should find a middle path because restrictions could affect workers’ jobs. The operator did not specify what alternative arrangement had been proposed.
Some facilities have chosen to suspend washing services because of the possibility of action by civic authorities. A representative of a vehicle-washing centre in Hadapsar said the business would not provide washing services after the PMC’s direction, as it could face trouble if reported for operating. The representative said other work, including polishing, could continue and suggested that limited water use through buckets instead of hoses could reduce wastage.
Not all Hadapsar operators have adopted the same approach. Shreenath High Pressure Washing Centre said it would operate during its regular morning timings. The differing responses show that the effect of the PMC’s restrictions is currently dependent on each centre’s water source, interpretation of the civic direction and assessment of enforcement risk.
The immediate issue for the city is therefore not only whether vehicle washing is restricted, but also how the direction applies to establishments using private water sources. The operators cited in the report gave different accounts of their water arrangements, while businesses that chose to comply said they were concerned about possible action and employment losses. The centres’ operations and customer demand were expected to be tested during the Dasara period.
