Pune residents faced continued water shortages and supply disruptions for a second consecutive day on Friday, as the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) extensive repair and maintenance work missed its morning deadline due to unforeseen technical issues. The prolonged disruption has caused significant inconvenience to households across the city, with many reporting difficulties in managing daily routines.
The Pune Municipal Corporation’s water supply department had scheduled a day-long shutdown on Thursday for approximately 45 repair and maintenance works aimed at improving the city’s water infrastructure. This included crucial tasks such as the installation of flow meters and the replacement of valves at major water treatment plants and the Khadakwasla dam. While work at most of these locations was completed, seepage issues at the new Parvati water works specifically delayed the installation of flow meters, consequently impacting the restoration of water supply to several areas, including the Peth areas and parts of Kothrud and Aundh.
Water pumping to overhead storage tanks and distribution networks was initially expected to resume by Friday morning. However, elected representatives from various parts of the PMC highlighted that residents continued to face a lack of water supply. Corporators from several wards reported receiving numerous complaints and struggled to manage the situation, leading to demands for accountability from the civic administration regarding the management of water supply operations.
In response to the ongoing shortages, water tankers were deployed to meet the immediate demand in affected localities. Officials indicated that while water supply from other water works, such as Cantonment, Holkar, and Bhama Askhed, was restored around Friday noon, the Peth areas and other affected zones were anticipated to see a gradual resumption of services by Friday afternoon. The administration also supplemented the supply by drawing water from the Mutha irrigation canal to alleviate the crisis.
The initial water closure, planned for the previous Thursday, was postponed due to a strike by water tanker operators. The current extended disruption has also brought renewed attention to the safety of private water tankers. Officials noted that accidents involving private tankers had resulted in fatalities, prompting city police to mandate the installation of rear cameras and helpers to ensure a 360-degree view of the tanker area. Furthermore, the PMC has drafted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for private tankers, requiring registration with a declaration of water source, and making GPS tracking and mandatory camera installations compulsory.
Looking ahead, improvements to the water supply in the Mohammadwadi and Undri areas are anticipated with the expected completion of the transmission line from the Vadgaon water treatment plant to the overhead water tanks in Dorabji and Cloud 9 in the coming days. By May 15, water is expected to be available in the overhead tanks, with the distribution line becoming operational following its construction.
The extended maintenance and subsequent delays have led to significant hardship for Pune’s residents, disrupting daily routines and highlighting the challenges in maintaining and upgrading urban water infrastructure. Officials have assured that efforts are ongoing to fully restore normal water supply as quickly as possible.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
