Pune’s ambitious effort to establish an equitable water distribution system across the city continues to face delays, raising concerns over the pace of urban infrastructure delivery despite residents already paying higher water-related charges. Although civic authorities have completed work in only a fraction of the planned water distribution zones, several neighbourhoods continue to experience inadequate pressure and irregular supply, underlining the need for stronger execution and monitoring of essential public services. The Pune Equal Water Supply project was introduced to create a uniform water distribution network capable of delivering reliable drinking water across all parts of the city. The programme also seeks to modernise ageing infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, reduce distribution losses and support the city’s expanding population. However, implementation has progressed more slowly than anticipated, delaying the benefits expected from the large-scale investment.
As part of the initiative, the municipal administration divided Pune into 141 water distribution zones. To date, only 48 zones have been completed, leaving most of the city outside the upgraded network. The project was originally expected to become operational in 2023, but progress has been slowed by pandemic-related disruptions, challenges in acquiring land for key infrastructure and delays in civil works. The incomplete rollout has also exposed a wider challenge in urban infrastructure planning. Even in areas where construction has been completed, residents continue to report inconsistent water pressure, intermittent supply and unequal distribution. This suggests that upgrading physical infrastructure alone is insufficient without efficient network management, continuous monitoring and adequate water availability.
The project also includes the installation of water meters to measure consumption accurately and improve demand management. However, officials acknowledge that meter readings are not being collected consistently across completed zones. Without reliable consumption data, the civic administration faces difficulties in understanding actual demand, reducing non-revenue water and ensuring equitable allocation across different neighbourhoods. The Pune Equal Water Supply project was designed around the objective of providing approximately 135 litres of water per person each day. Actual supply, however, continues to depend on local population density, storage capacity, pipeline conditions and the availability of treated water. While some areas that previously received only 35 to 40 litres per capita daily have seen supplies improve significantly, uniform service levels remain out of reach across the city.
Urban planners believe that completing the remaining zones is essential as Pune continues to expand through new residential developments. A fully integrated water distribution system would improve public health, strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable urban growth by ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with rising demand. Municipal officials have indicated that work on the remaining zones is progressing and aim to complete the project within the next six months. The long-term success of the Pune Equal Water Supply project, however, will ultimately depend on whether residents experience reliable, adequate and equitable access to water rather than simply the completion of engineering works.
