Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is preparing to issue ‘dummy water bills’ without payment obligation to households and businesses, aiming to familiarise citizens with actual usage and instil billing discipline before implementing consumption-based charges citywide.
PMC’s proposal, pending final approval by the Municipal Commissioner, supports its Equal Water Supply Scheme that mandates metering of approximately 2.5 lakh connections, of which 1.8 lakh are already installed in areas with upgraded infrastructure. Under the pilot, residents will receive digital statements via WhatsApp or email detailing month‑on‑month water usage and estimated charges — 8 paise per litre for domestic users, 60–65 paise per litre for commercial, compared with PMC’s supply cost of 22 paise per litre — without any payment required . Municipal officials emphasise that the exercise will build transparency and promote conservation attitudes ahead of actual billing, slated for March 2026 following completion of the broader scheme by December 2025. Water Supply Department head Nandkishor Jagtap says the initiative offers dual benefit: demystifying water meter maths and encouraging behavioural change in usage habits.
The dummy bills come amid an ambitious ₹2,048 cr roll‑out involving 1.8 lakh metre installations across 141 city zones. This effort is part of a ₹12,618 cr 24×7 water‑supply retrofit intended to ensure equitable access and eliminate tanker dependency in underserved areas. Public response so far mixes optimism with scepticism. Civic activists welcome usage-based transparency but demand assurances of uninterrupted supply and fair billing. Previous opposition centred on fears of rising bills and insufficient service left some households resisting meter installation — prompting PMC to issue notices threatening disconnection to non‑compliant properties.
Pune current residents often rely on tanker water, and complaints persist regarding low pressure and inadequate supply — commonly in expanded city zones — raising questions of fairness when billing begins. PMC has reaffirmed that the dummy bills are informational and will not immediately impact charges, attempting to build consumer trust. Environmentalists view the move as a major step toward sustainable urban water management. Real‑time metering helps curb leakages, flag abnormal use, and reduces wastage. Automated leak detection using robotics planned under the scheme further underlines PMC’s zero‑net‑wastage goal. By linking charges to consumption, the system encourages conservation and prevents inequitable cross‑subsidisation.
However, the success of the initiative depends on robust citizen engagement and service reliability. Residents must receive consistent pressure and volume throughout the month to justify transitioning from flat‑rate to usage‑based billing. PMC must also reinforce anti‑fraud messaging; recent scams involving fake water‑bill disconnection threats have surfaced. As the pilot proceeds, Pune stands to become a benchmark city for sustainable, equitable water governance. If properly implemented, the dummy‑bill scheme could normalise consumer awareness, strengthen infrastructure accountability and drive behavioural shifts in urban water use — essential for long‑term climate resilience.
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