Pune: Undri Hilltop Areas Still Without Piped Water Despite New Supply Boost In Nearby Localities
Pune: Undri Hilltop Areas Still Without Piped Water Despite New Supply Boost In Nearby Localities
Pune, May 5, 2026: Even as new water storage tanks near Dorabjee Mall (Royale Heritage Mall) in Mohamadwadi begin supplying water to several housing societies in Mohammadwadi, residents in the hilltop areas of Undri say they continue to remain outside the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) water network, relying heavily on costly tanker supply.
For families living in elevated pockets of Undri, Pisoli, and Wadachi Wadi, the improved situation in nearby areas has only highlighted the infrastructure gap. With no pipelines laid and no water storage systems in place, these neighbourhoods remain disconnected from the city’s distribution network.
The Mohamadwadi Undri Residents Welfare Development Foundation has also sought help from Additional Commissioner PMC Pavneet Kaur drawing her attention to the hilltop area in building a water pipeline network in the area which is totally missing. In a letter sent to Kaur, MURWDF stated that Undri has been without piped water for 18 years. Despite being formally incorporated into the Pune Municipal Corporation’s administrative limits in October 2017, the residents of Undri Hilltop have been deprived of access to a reliable municipal water supply for over 18 years. This persistent neglect is unacceptable and has resulted in considerable hardship for thousands of households.
The issue has been taken up with the civic administration, with demands for immediate construction of overhead water tanks and faster execution of pipeline work in these hilltop areas. Officials have been urged to address the unique challenges posed by elevation, which require dedicated infrastructure to ensure water reaches higher-altitude homes.
The new tanks near Dorabjee Mall are seen as a positive step, but residents say they do little to solve the long-standing problem in elevated zones where water pressure and supply remain major concerns.
A proposal has been put forward to reserve an amenity space near Nyati Eternity for the construction of overhead reservoirs. The site, located close to residential clusters and landmarks such as Country Club and Corinthian Club, is considered strategically important to supply water to multiple hilltop societies.
Residents, many of whom have struggled with water shortages for years, have voiced strong support for these measures.
Yogita Gaikwad, a resident of Nyati Eternity, said, “We have been dependent on tankers for nearly two decades. It is expensive and unreliable. We need a permanent solution and a tanker-free Undri.”
Elene Rogers, a senior citizen who moved to the area in 2018, highlighted the impact on daily life. “We were promised proper civic amenities, but tanker water is hard and affects our health. Many residents avoid using it for basic needs,” she said.
Residents also pointed out that tanker dependency has significantly increased monthly expenses while raising concerns about water quality and long-term sustainability.
Ward No. 41 corporator Nivrutti Anna Bandal has now stepped in, taking up the issue with the PMC administration and pushing for urgent, on-ground solutions. Bandal has petitioned PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and Additional Commissioner Pavneet Kaur, demanding immediate construction of overhead water tanks and expedited pipeline works in hilltop areas.
There are also calls for dedicated budget allocation to develop infrastructure in hilltop areas, as such locations require additional systems like pumping stations and storage facilities due to terrain challenges.
While the Dorabjee tanks have improved supply in some parts of the area, residents in hilltop locations continue to wait for basic access to piped water. They are now urging the PMC to act swiftly and ensure equitable water distribution across all areas, regardless of elevation.
