Pune Water Crisis: Bombay High Court Directed Committee Calls For Action Plan, Monthly Reviews And Swift Measures

Pune, December 20, 2024 – A special committee, constituted under the Bombay High Court’s directives in Water PIL 126 of 2022, convened on December 19, 2024, at the Pune Divisional Commissioner’s office to address severe water supply challenges across Pune and its surrounding areas.  

Attendees and Participants 

The meeting brought together key officials and citizen representatives, including:  

• 1. Pune Divisional Commissioner, Chandrakant Pulkundwar  
• 2. PMC Additional Commissioner, Prithviraj B.P.  
• 3. Water supply department heads from PMC (Nandkishor Jagtap) and PCMC ( Joshi)  
• 4. PMRDA officials (Mr. Patil and Mrs. Kulkarni)  
• 5. Advocate Satya Muley, representing petitioners  
• 6. Maharashtra State Housing Society Federation representatives  
• 7. Citizens from affected regions such as Hinjawadi, Bavdhan, Pisoli, Ambegaon, Chikhali, and Moshi  
• 8. Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat representative, Vijay Sagar  

Key Discussions and Resolutions 

Monthly Meetings to Resolve Grievances:  

– The Divisional Commissioner instructed PMC, PCMC, and PMRDA to hold monthly meetings with citizen representatives to resolve water supply issues proactively.  

Special PMRDA Meeting  

– PMRDA was directed to hold a dedicated meeting within two weeks, involving its CEO, to address acute water shortages in areas like Hinjawadi.  

Ward-Level Meetings  

– PMC, PCMC, and PMRDA were tasked with conducting ward-wise monthly meetings focused specifically on water scarcity problems, which are often overlooked in regular mohalla committee meetings.  

Enhancing Citizen Communication: 

– Representatives suggested using existing property tax databases to send SMS alerts, enabling residents to report water issues or receive updates. Officials committed to exploring this idea.  

– Ward officers were urged to increase outreach efforts, communicating grievance redressal mechanisms to housing societies.  

Transparency Through Data Sharing  

– Citizens demanded the publication of water supply data, including meter readings, on local body websites to provide transparency and accountability.  

Critical Ground-Level Issues  

The following recurring issues were identified:  

– Absence or inadequacy of water supply lines  

– Inconsistent valve operations  

– Illegal suction pumps installed by individuals and societies  

– Manual valve operations fostering corruption  

Joint surveys by PMC, PCMC, and PMRDA were recommended to detect illegal connections, water theft, and other irregularities.  

Concerns About PMC Maintenance Practices 

– Weekly maintenance conducted by PMC on Thursdays, often stretching into Saturdays, disrupts water supply, forcing residents to rely on tankers. Allegations of possible collusion with tanker operators were raised.  

Advocate Satya Muley’s Observations

– Muley criticized the illegal practice of water affidavits imposed on flat buyers, calling it fraudulent and detrimental to residents.  

– He applauded the Balewadi Residents Federation for compiling detailed data to assist officials in resolving water issues.  

– Muley brought attention to the plight of 2,000 leprosy-affected residents in Yewlewadi, who lack any water supply. Despite building an overhead tank with CSR funds, the community remains without water. The Divisional Commissioner promised resolution within a week.  

– Hinjawadi and Maan residents face sabotage of pipelines by tanker operators, leaving societies like High Mont entirely dependent on tankers.  

Temporary Solutions Fall Short  

– Muley stressed the need for sustainable solutions, citing Undri’s Margosa Heights, where initial improvements after complaints soon reverted to worse conditions.  

The PIL, spearheaded by NGOs and represented by Advocate Satya Muley, continues to demand long-term, systemic solutions to Pune’s escalating water supply crisis.