In a bid to enforce stringent measures against water misuse in construction sites, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken decisive action against 22 junior engineers for purported lapses in monitoring water consumption by builders.
This proactive stance underscores the municipality’s commitment to ensuring responsible urban development practices amidst escalating concerns over water scarcity. The civic administration’s directive to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the alleged oversight aims to ascertain whether potable water resources are being improperly utilised for construction activities. Key to this effort is the reliance on ground-level insights provided by junior engineers, whose failure to adequately oversee water usage has prompted the issuance of show cause notices. Citizen complaints, while a potential avenue for monitoring water misuse, have proven ineffectual due to limited engagement from the public. The inaccessible nature of construction sites poses a significant challenge to citizen-led oversight efforts, thereby necessitating the PMC’s reliance on internal mechanisms for accurate data collection.
According to PMC data, the proliferation of construction projects in Pune has been substantial, with approximately 1,800 building permissions granted in the fiscal year 2023-24 alone. This surge, coupled with the staggering figure of 3,500 ongoing projects, underscores the urgency of vigilant water management practices. Despite the administration’s recommendation to utilise alternative water sources such as Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) water, the prevalent use of private wells, borewells, and tankers persists unabated. This stark reality underscores the imperative for decisive action to curb water misuse and promote sustainable development practices. The PMC’s crackdown on water misuse in construction sites serves as a clarion call for heightened vigilance and adherence to regulatory norms in the realm of urban development. By holding stakeholders accountable and advocating for responsible water usage, the municipality endeavours to pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
