Pune Municipal Corporation has introduced stricter water-saving rules during periods of water cuts, including mandatory closure of public and private vehicle-washing centres, restrictions on drinking water for construction and penalties of up to ₹10,000 for violations. A third violation after two previous fines may lead to a criminal case, according to information provided by the civic administration.
The measures were issued through an office order by Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur, while Standing Committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale announced the enforcement details. The order assigns implementation responsibilities to the water supply department, regional offices, garden department, building development department and roads department.
Vehicle-washing centres will have to remain closed during water-cut periods. Centres that use water from their own borewells or wells will be permitted to operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. A centre found operating in violation of the restrictions will face a ₹10,000 fine.
The civic body has also prohibited the use of municipal drinking water for building construction, road works and ready-mix concrete projects. Contractors must use treated water from sewage treatment plants or water from borewells and wells instead. A violation can attract a ₹10,000 fine, and the concerned construction activity may be stopped.
The restrictions extend to swimming pools and private gardens. Using drinking water for either purpose will attract a ₹10,000 penalty. Tanker operators may also be fined ₹10,000 if water is found leaking from a tanker. An unauthorised water connection will result in a ₹5,000 fine and immediate disconnection. A repeat unauthorised connection may lead to legal action.
The municipal corporation has fixed a ₹1,000 penalty for an overflowing water tank. It has also directed officials to address leakages in water pipelines immediately and plans awareness measures encouraging the installation of automatic float valves to prevent tanks from overflowing.
Housing societies with non-operational sewage treatment plants will be served notices to restart them. The civic body has instructed that treated water be used for gardens and toilet flushing, creating a separate supply option for activities that do not require drinking-quality water.
The order also establishes a monitoring structure within the municipal administration. Each regional office must appoint a nodal officer and submit an action-taken report to the water supply department by the 15th of every month. Officers and employees found negligent in implementing the measures may face disciplinary action.
The rules place responsibility on both water users and municipal departments. While penalties target visible sources of wastage such as overflowing tanks, leaking tankers and unauthorised connections, the directions on treated water and non-functional sewage treatment plants address the wider challenge of using potable water for construction, landscaping and flushing. Enforcement during each water-cut period will determine how consistently the new restrictions are applied across Pune.
