Pune Municipal Corporation will conduct structural audits of three overhead water tanks in Chandannagar after residents from Wadgaon Sheri raised concerns about the stability of the roughly three-decade-old structures. The demand has brought attention to the safety of ageing water infrastructure as the civic body expands storage capacity in Pune’s rapidly growing fringe areas.
The residents’ group Vadgaon Sheri Nagrik Manch submitted a letter to PMC’s water department on October 10, asking the civic body to inspect the tanks and determine whether they remain structurally sound. The group said the tanks were built around 30 years ago and required a technical assessment by qualified engineers.
The representation cited possible deterioration caused by prolonged exposure to water, including damage to concrete, rusting of iron reinforcement bars and cracking. It asked PMC to undertake repairs, jacketing or retrofitting immediately, depending on the findings of the structural report.
Ashish Mane, a member of the residents’ group, said the civic administration should assess the tanks’ stability because of their age. The request comes as Chandannagar and surrounding parts of Wadgaon Sheri continue to depend on municipal water infrastructure serving a densely developing urban area.
Eknath Gadekar, a senior official in PMC’s water department, said the civic body had noted the request. He said structural audits were part of regular practice and that 30 years after construction was an appropriate time for a stability assessment. The official added that the Chandannagar tanks required such audits and that PMC would carry them out soon.
The issue is part of a larger water-infrastructure challenge facing Pune. PMC has constructed 80 new water tanks under its 24×7 water supply project, although the scheme has not yet become fully operational. The civic body also plans to build 20 additional overhead tanks in the 34 areas merged into PMC.
According to a civic official quoted by the Times of India, the proposed tanks would add about 3.5 crore litres of storage capacity across the merged areas. The planned locations include Ambegaon, Bavdhan, Sus, Mahalunge, Jambhulwadi, Wagholi and Lohegaon, where residents have reported inadequate water supply and continued dependence on tankers.
PMC’s proposed audit will determine whether the Chandannagar tanks need repairs, strengthening or other remedial work. The civic water department has not provided a specific completion date for the assessment.
