Pune As summer heat intensifies, exacerbating the challenges of scheduled water cuts imposed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) due to dwindling dam levels and essential maintenance work, residents now face a further setback.
In a significant departure from past practices, civic officials have announced that water tankers will not be deployed to alleviate the impact of a scheduled water cut, a decision that officials hint may persist in the future, leaving citizens to grapple with prolonged water scarcity.This abrupt shift in policy has been met with considerable consternation, particularly given the absence of a transparent and compelling rationale. An official within the PMC’s water supply department, speaking on condition of anonymity, cited the misuse of tanker services by numerous property owners, including influential figures, who allegedly exert pressure on the administration for water tankers even when their need is not genuine.
“As a result, we find it difficult to cater to locations facing a real shortage. Then, there were recent incidents when officials were abused over tankers. So, a decision to prevent the misuse of water tankers has been made,” the official stated, highlighting the operational challenges and alleged abuse faced by civic staff in managing tanker distribution. It is pertinent to note that the civic body had introduced a revised approval mechanism in March aimed at enhancing oversight of tanker deployments. This system mandates that contractors secure authorisation from water department engineers before undertaking unscheduled trips. While approximately 1,000 fixed tanker trips are conducted daily, an additional 400 emergency trips were previously available to address urgent needs. The recent directive appears to curtail this crucial emergency response capability.
This decision has ignited discontent among Pune’s citizenry and civic activists, who decry it as an injustice to taxpayers and a stark indictment of the civic body’s water supply management efficacy. Concerns are mounting that this limitation on tanker services will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and those residing in areas with inadequate water infrastructure. A representative from a prominent citizens’ group articulated the need for greater transparency and accountability in water distribution, suggesting the implementation of an online system for tanker bookings, coupled with rigorous on-ground verification to ensure equitable allocation based on genuine need.
Echoing these sentiments, concerned residents highlighted the potential for exploitation by private water tanker operators, who often capitalise on civic water scarcity by charging exorbitant rates, placing an additional financial burden on already distressed households. The lack of regulation over these private entities further compounds the problem, leaving citizens with limited recourse. The sense of frustration and helplessness among residents is palpable. Questions are being raised about the fundamental responsibility of the civic body to ensure a consistent and reliable water supply, especially in light of the water charges levied on property owners. The inability to provide even basic water access during scheduled cuts is perceived as a dereliction of duty by many. Further exacerbating the situation, residents in various localities have reported persistent issues with low water pressure, even when supply is available. The prospect of facing prolonged periods without any water supply whatsoever has understandably triggered significant anxiety and anger.
The immediate trigger for the current disruption is a scheduled 24-hour water cut on April 8th, necessitated by urgent repairs to the primary raw water supply line and the drainage main line connecting the Khadakwasla dam to key water purification plants. While such maintenance is essential for the long-term integrity of the water supply network, the simultaneous curtailment of tanker services during this period has amplified the hardship faced by affected communities. Data from PMC officials indicates a steady surge in demand for water tankers, correlating with the rise in ambient temperatures. The number of tanker trips climbed from 36,000 in December 2024 to approximately 43,000 in March 2025. As of the reporting date, the four primary dams supplying water to Pune held 12.01 TMC of water, representing 41.5% of their total storage capacity, a marginal improvement compared to the 11.4 TMC (around 39% capacity) recorded on the same date last year.
While the PMC maintains data on its own tanker operations, information regarding the activities of private water tanker operators remains elusive, as they typically source water from private wells and borewells. However, estimates suggest that these private entities undertake an average of 30,000 trips monthly, underscoring the significant reliance of Pune’s residents on supplementary water sources during periods of civic water stress. The current predicament in Pune underscores the urgent need for a holistic and sustainable approach to urban water management. Addressing issues of water leakage, promoting water conservation measures, and ensuring equitable distribution are crucial steps towards building a resilient and water-secure city. The decision to limit tanker services, while ostensibly aimed at curbing misuse, necessitates a parallel commitment from the civic body to enhance the efficiency and reliability of its primary water supply infrastructure and to explore transparent and accountable mechanisms for addressing genuine water emergencies faced by its citizens.
Pune Residents Face Dry Spell No Tankers
