Pune: Citizen Forums Played Key Role In Completing Mohammadwadi Water Tank Project, Says CM Devendra Fadnavis
Pune: Citizen Forums Played Key Role In Completing Mohammadwadi Water Tank Project, Says CM Devendra Fadnavis
Pune, May 17, 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday credited citizen forums and resident associations for playing a crucial role in the completion of the long-pending Mohammadwadi water supply project, saying sustained public follow-up helped push the scheme to execution after nearly two decades of water scarcity in south Pune.
Speaking at the inauguration of overhead water tanks and the equitable water distribution network in Mohammadwadi, Fadnavis said organised citizen participation had become instrumental in ensuring civic infrastructure projects moved forward in rapidly urbanising areas.
“Some forum members are in touch with me and regularly send SMSes regarding the progress of the work. These citizen forums have played an important role in the success of the Mohammadwadi overhead water tank supply project,” Fadnavis said while addressing residents.
The water supply scheme is expected to benefit nearly three lakh residents across Mohammadwadi, Undri and surrounding localities, where citizens have relied heavily on water tankers and irregular private supply despite rapid residential development and increasing tax contributions.
For several years, resident welfare associations and citizen groups from Mohammadwadi and Undri have actively campaigned for improved civic amenities through protests, meetings with civic officials, social media outreach and repeated representations to elected representatives. Activists have consistently highlighted the widening gap between large-scale construction activity and inadequate infrastructure such as water supply, roads and drainage systems.
Fadnavis described the commissioning of the project as one of Pune’s major urban infrastructure milestones and praised Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and former civic chief Pavneet Kaur for expediting the project.
The chief minister also pointed to significant challenges within Pune’s water distribution network, stating that ageing infrastructure and nearly 50 per cent water leakage in some areas continued to affect supply efficiency. He directed officials to complete the remaining pipeline and distribution work within the next two months and said he would review progress again along with Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.
The programme also carried political significance as the state government highlighted infrastructure delivery in Pune’s fast-growing suburban belt ahead of future civic and assembly-level political mobilisation. Citizen forums in Mohammadwadi and Undri have increasingly emerged as influential pressure groups on issues including water supply, traffic congestion, road widening and urban amenities.
Referring to Pune’s growing economic importance, Fadnavis said the city was emerging as the country’s “GCC capital” and required modern infrastructure, metro connectivity and planned urban development to support future growth. He also announced that land acquisition for the widening of the long-pending Katraj-Kondhwa Road project would be completed within six months.
Highlighting the state government’s healthcare initiatives, Fadnavis referred to the cancer hospital being developed under a public-private partnership model, where free treatment facilities would be made available to patients. “Cancer cases are rising rapidly and treatment costs are high. The government is committed to providing quality healthcare to citizens,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Sunetra Pawar said the common water supply scheme and nine overhead water tanks would ensure reliable water access for residents in the region. She added that former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had consistently emphasised the need for quality infrastructure and long-term planning for Pune’s expansion.
During the event, Fadnavis also launched the “Pune Pratham” book and felicitated PMC water supply department head Nandkishore Jagtap for his contribution to the project. The inauguration witnessed a large turnout of residents and citizen forum members, many of whom described the launch as a major milestone in their long struggle for equitable water supply in the area.
