Pune Municipal Corporation Implements 3-Day Water Connection Approval System
Pune Municipal Corporation Implements 3-Day Water Connection Approval System
Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a new policy aimed at expediting water connection approvals, ensuring they are provided within three days of receiving an application. This initiative is part of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ seven-point plan to enhance efficiency and accelerate public service delivery within 100 days.
In response to the directive, the PMC’s Water Supply Department has issued an order to fast-track the approval process for water connections to new buildings and properties. The reform is expected to reduce bureaucratic delays and encourage legal water connections, thereby curbing unauthorized water access.
Under the new system, officials in the PMC Water Supply Department—including superintending engineers, executive engineers, assistant engineers, and junior engineers—are required to implement the policy immediately. Previously, securing a new water connection involved a lengthy process requiring up to twelve documents, including an application form, proof of ownership, construction plans, development certificates, and occupancy certificates, among others.
With the new policy, the approval process will be streamlined. Only fully documented applications will be processed within the specified timeframe. Incomplete submissions will be rejected, and although administrative approval will be granted within three days, the actual installation of the water connection may take additional time. A separate record of new connections will also be maintained for future reference.
This reform primarily addresses the issue of unauthorized water connections, which were often a result of the complex documentation process. Many applicants previously chose illegal connections to avoid navigating the bureaucratic hurdles. To ease this, the PMC had already simplified the process last year by reducing the number of required documents, now only asking for proof of ownership and property tax registration.
The new system is expected to benefit residents by reducing waiting times for water connections, thereby facilitating business operations and enhancing civic amenities for both residential and commercial developments. The policy will also help regulate water distribution more effectively, ensuring that all connections are properly documented and billed.
By simplifying the application process and eliminating unnecessary paperwork, the PMC aims to make essential services more accessible and efficient. If successful, this policy could serve as a model for other municipal corporations across the state, further advancing the goal of faster and more efficient public service delivery.
