PMRDA Cancels Water Supply Affidavits, Citizens Concerned About Water Crisis
PMRDA Cancels Water Supply Affidavits, Citizens Concerned About Water Crisis
Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has cancelled its previous mandate requiring developers to provide affidavits ensuring water supply for new housing projects. This decision, announced on Tuesday, affects 23 villages merged into the municipal limits since 2011 and areas beyond a 5 km radius from civic limits.
The PMRDA’s new circular states that it is now the responsibility of local civic bodies to ensure water supply, according to Urban Development Department guidelines. The previous mandate, effective from August last year, had required developers to submit affidavits to monitor water supply. Critics argue that cancelling this requirement will worsen water shortages in newly developed areas.
Citizens and NGOs are worried about the impact on water availability. Lawyer Satya Muley, who has been involved in a public interest litigation (PIL) on water shortages, said that NGOs are considering legal action against local bodies for these decisions, which they believe promote unchecked development.
A senior PMRDA official explained that the new circular was issued due to issues with false affidavits from developers. He emphasized that local authorities are responsible for water supply in the 23 merged villages and the 5km radius areas. PMRDA will now focus on 242 villages, where developers must submit water supply plans to the engineering department.
The official added that developers seeking occupancy certificates will need to follow new procedures, including guidance from the executive committee. This change aims to address water supply issues more effectively but has left citizens concerned about potential shortages.
