Pune: Kharadi Residents Urge Homebuyers To Check Water Supply Before Buying Homes
Pune: Kharadi Residents Urge Homebuyers To Check Water Supply Before Buying Homes
Pune, May 1, 2026: Residents of Kharadi are holding a peaceful “Sakhli Uposhan” (chain fasting protest) from Friday morning, intensifying their demand for a reliable water supply from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) until the civic body accepts their demands.
Organised by the Kharadi Housing Societies Welfare Association, the protest began at 9:30 AM near the PMC water tank on DP Farms Road.
Alongside raising concerns over irregular water supply, residents have launched a broader awareness campaign urging homebuyers to prioritise assured water access before purchasing property. The campaign highlights that “a home without assured water is not a home, but a lifelong struggle.”
Citizens are calling for systemic reforms, including streamlined PMC water supply, reduced dependence on private tankers, and lower maintenance costs for housing societies. They are also demanding transparency and accountability from authorities, insisting on a guaranteed supply benchmark of 135 litres per capita per day (LPCD) for every resident.
The campaign further advises buyers to verify water sources, check infrastructure such as storage and treatment systems, review approvals through MahaRERA, and ensure written assurances from developers regarding water availability.
Organisers stated that the protest will continue until the PMC’s water department takes concrete steps to address these demands. Residents have appealed for maximum participation, emphasising that access to water is a basic right and a critical factor in sustainable urban living.
Despite being a major residential and commercial hub in Pune, Kharadi continues to face acute water shortages and inadequate civic infrastructure. Residents say they are heavily dependent on private water tankers for daily needs, leading to rising costs, health concerns, and operational difficulties for thousands of families, including senior citizens and working professionals.
Citizens allege that the situation has become unsustainable due to multiple ongoing issues, including inadequate supply from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), unplanned urban growth without matching infrastructure, and repeated assurances without time-bound solutions. They also point out that residents are effectively paying twice for water through taxes and tanker expenses while facing inconsistent supply compared to other parts of the city. The residents also wrote a letter to the Pune Municipal Corporation stating various demands. The letter was submitted by the Kharadi Housing Societies Welfare Association (KHSWA), and was signed by Chairman Deepak Patil and Secretary Manoj Dudhankar.
Calling it a serious civic failure, residents have warned that the continued lack of basic water access impacts health, dignity, and quality of life, and may amount to a violation of fundamental rights.
Key Demands By Residents:
- Immediate and uninterrupted PMC water supply as per sanctioned norms and population needs
- Time-bound written commitment for upgrading water infrastructure and resolving the crisis
- Refund of expenses incurred on private water tankers
- Adjustment or refund of water tax collected during periods of inadequate supply
- Accountability and action against officials responsible for the prolonged issue
- Public disclosure of water allocation, actual supply, pending works, and project timelines
- Formation of a joint coordination committee with PMC officials and society representatives
- Interim measures including: Regulated or subsidised tanker supply and Fixed and transparent tanker schedules
- Appointment of a dedicated nodal officer or helpline with 48–72 hour resolution timelines
- Immediate halt on approvals for new projects until adequate water infrastructure is in place
Residents stated that the representation has been submitted as part of an ongoing peaceful protest, including a chain hunger strike, seeking urgent intervention. They have also indicated that legal options may be explored if timely action is not taken by authorities.
