Pune’s merged areas continue to face significant challenges in securing a reliable and sustainable water supply, as residents struggle with inadequate infrastructure even years after their integration into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
With water scarcity becoming an increasingly critical issue, local leaders are now calling for decentralised water systems to address the growing demands of these areas. In a recent discussion, a local legislator highlighted the need for a shift towards decentralised water conservation systems. According to him, relying solely on distant water sources like the Khadakwasla dam is insufficient to meet the needs of the newly merged areas. These regions, which include several rural and peri-urban zones, have been severely affected by irregular and limited water supply. He suggested that using available grazing lands for the development of artificial water bodies, such as lakes or deep storage units, could help mitigate water shortages. By capturing the run-offs from seasonal rains, these artificial lakes would enhance local water storage, ensuring better water availability during drier months. The proposal for decentralised water systems seeks to shift the focus from large, centralized infrastructure to more locally managed solutions that can directly address the needs of these areas. This would not only increase the efficiency of water distribution but also reduce the strain on existing resources, which are already stretched thin due to the expanding urban footprint.
The Maharashtra state government, meanwhile, has issued directives aimed at making the property tax collection in these merged areas more aligned with local norms. This follows the recommendation to base property tax on rates previously charged by the respective gram panchayats. While this directive intends to ease the financial burden on residents, it has also raised concerns about the slow pace of development in these areas. Despite the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure, residents continue to complain about the lack of basic services, especially reliable drinking water and proper roads. Pune’s municipal expansion began in earnest after the approval of merging 34 villages into PMC’s jurisdiction in 2013-14. However, despite promises of improved civic amenities, many of the newly included villages still suffer from inadequate services. The delayed improvements have led to growing discontent among the residents, who feel that their needs are being overlooked.
In response to these grievances, some of the affected villages, such as Uruli-Phursungi, even petitioned for a demerger from the PMC, seeking the restoration of their independent municipal councils. The demerger, initiated in 2024, came after years of frustration from residents who felt that the integration into PMC had not delivered the promised improvements. This demerger process highlighted the urgent need for better governance and local attention to the unique needs of these merged areas. As Pune’s urban sprawl continues to expand, the issue of ensuring equitable access to resources like water becomes ever more pressing. The call for decentralised solutions reflects a growing recognition that large-scale, top-down models may not always be the most effective in addressing the specific needs of peri-urban areas. For the success of such proposals, however, a coordinated effort between the state government, municipal authorities, and local communities will be necessary. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Pune can overcome these water supply challenges or whether the push for decentralisation will remain an unfulfilled promise.
Ultimately, the struggle for better water supply in Pune’s merged areas underscores a broader issue faced by many growing cities in India: the difficulty of providing sustainable, equitable services in rapidly urbanising environments. The success of this decentralised approach could offer a model for other cities grappling with similar challenges, paving the way for more resilient, community-driven solutions to urban resource management.
Pune MLA Advocates Local Water Conservation Solutions
