Pune: Dry Mist Fountains Face Backlash By Citizens, 10 More To Come Up Soon

Pune residents and environmental activists have openly opposed the construction of 8 dry mist fountains that have been installed in the city. 

Pune, 16 April 2024

By Payoshi Bisht

Eight dry mist fountains have been installed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) as a solution to combat heat and air pollution in the city. However, activists and residents have expressed strong discontentment with this initiative of the PMC. As per reports received from the Department of Electricity at PMC, each fountain uses almost a 1000 litres of water on a daily basis. As Pune is already facing an acute water shortage crisis, this has become yet another issue to grapple with. 

According to the views of residents and activists, the dry mist fountain project is a waste of public funds. It is nothing but an object of beautification that has been added to the city. It is not serving the purpose for which it was constructed, nor is it helping with the current heat wave, nor does it reduce air pollution as per the statements of the citizens. 

The PMC has planned to install 12 more such fountains in the heavy traffic zones of the city. For the same purpose, it intends to sanction funds worth 2 crore rupees. Environmental organisation Parisar raised its concerns over the dry fountains to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), stating that these fountains cannot tackle the issue of air pollution as they are ineffective against non-water soluble particles and gaseous impurities. Parisar further argued over the issue of lack of transparency in providing adequate information regarding data on pollution reduction, cost-effectiveness, sustainability evaluation and monitoring of the fountains. These do not align with guidelines within the existing governmental policies. 

Shrinivas Kandul, head, electricity department from the PMC does not have much to say to the above allegations as he claims that the situation is under control and has spoken about the PMC’s plans to continue the installation of the fountains in the rest of the city.