A major water pipeline burst during metro construction work in Pune’s Nigdi area has led to the wastage of thousands of litres of potable water, igniting public outrage amid an already dire summer water crisis.
The incident occurred around 6 pm on 19 May near the Bhakti Shakti flyover, on the stretch between Shrikrishna Temple and Nigdi Gaothan, where a Portland boring machine was being used for metro-related groundwork. The forceful impact on the underground water pipeline resulted in a large-scale rupture, causing heavy waterlogging and paralysing road traffic for hours. According to civic officials, the broken pipeline is part of the primary distribution network that caters to several residential pockets in Nigdi and Pimpri. The rupture not only disrupted vehicular movement but also intensified the ongoing water shortages in many parts of the city. Given the scale of the burst, officials estimate that tens of thousands of litres of clean drinking water were lost before emergency teams could isolate the damage.
Local residents and civic activists have reacted with sharp criticism, highlighting that this is not the first time such a mishap has occurred during metro works. In recent months, similar incidents have taken place at other metro construction sites, leading to repetitive damage to key utility infrastructure. Many citizens alleged that the recurring pipeline bursts are the result of negligence and lack of coordination between the metro construction authorities and the municipal water supply department. “The people of Pune are already facing water cuts. Every drop matters during the summer, and yet we are witnessing blatant disregard for civic infrastructure. This is not just a technical failure, it reflects a serious administrative lapse,” said a civic expert from Pimpri Chinchwad.
Civic officials from the water department confirmed that the pipeline was damaged due to unauthorised excavation that was not informed to their department in advance. They acknowledged that there was a lapse in cross-departmental coordination, which they promised to address in upcoming meetings with the metro agency and contractors involved in the project. Environmental planners and urban sustainability experts have also expressed concern over the avoidable water loss, calling it a reminder of the urgent need for eco-conscious project planning in Indian cities. “Infrastructure upgrades like metro systems are necessary for sustainable urban mobility. However, such projects cannot come at the cost of basic resources like water, especially in cities that are already under high water stress,” said an environmental policy expert from a Pune-based think tank. Local ward representatives and political leaders have demanded that the municipal commissioner launch an immediate inquiry and hold the contractors accountable. Civic bodies have also been urged to implement standard operating procedures for excavation activities, especially in utility-dense zones like Nigdi.
Despite ongoing debates over infrastructure development versus civic resilience, Pune’s metro project has been touted as a solution to the city’s worsening traffic and pollution problems. But the recurring damage to water lines, trees, and local roads has led many to question whether these developments are being executed with long-term sustainability and citizen welfare in mind. As repair work continues and water supply teams scramble to restore normal distribution, the affected residents in Nigdi and adjoining areas remain uncertain about when their taps will run again. Meanwhile, calls for better project management and stronger accountability mechanisms grow louder in a city grappling with the twin pressures of rapid urban growth and resource scarcity.
With civic trust eroding and the public increasingly frustrated, the need for integrated, environmentally responsible urban planning has never been more urgent. Whether Pune’s authorities and infrastructure agencies will rise to the occasion and correct these systemic gaps remains to be seen.
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