Pune Residents Allege Fleecing by Plumbers for PMC Water Connection
Residents of several housing societies in Pune's Mohammadwadi, Undri, and NIBM Annexe Road areas have accused contractors and plumbers appointed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) of charging exorbitant fees for water pipeline connections. The contractors are demanding up to Rs50,000 per connection to bring water from overhead tanks to individual homes, a cost that residents say is astronomical and unjustified.
Meeting with PMC Officials
On Saturday, aggrieved residents held a meeting with PMC officials from the Camp office to voice their concerns. They alleged that the contractors are exploiting their desperation for water, as many have been paying water taxes for years without receiving any supply. One resident stated, 'There needs to be a water connection for every 25 flats. We have been paying water tax to the PMC for years without getting water. Now, water is set to flow, but perils are not over.'
Kishor Baligar, secretary of Dorabjee Paradise Bungalow Society, shared his experience: 'We contacted a PMC-listed contractor-cum-plumber for the job. He demanded Rs50,000 per connection. Why should we pay such a huge amount? Shouldn't there be a cap on it? Then why were we taxed for years despite not having water? This is a serious matter and needs immediate intervention.'
Lack of PMC Accountability
Residents expressed frustration that while PMC officials acknowledged that rates for pipeline work are fixed by the corporation, they shifted the responsibility of negotiating charges to the residents. One anonymous resident said, 'The PMC officials told us that every work pertaining to pipelines had a rate fixed by the PMC. But strangely, they said we have to negotiate the charge with the plumber or the contractor. These people are fleecing many of us and the PMC isn't taking the responsibility. Some of these plumbers told us that the money goes to everyone and they are helpless. This is fleecing people struggling for water for years.'
Community Leaders Step In
Social worker Jaymala Dhankikar, a resident of NIBM Annexe Road, along with Tara Singh, president of Anandvan Parisar Residents' Foundation, have pledged to address the issue. They plan to meet with Assistant Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur to discuss the overcharging by plumbers. Dhankikar stated, 'There needs to be a solution. We will discuss the matter in detail with the official possibly next week.'
Documentation Woes
Additionally, many residents questioned the requirement of submitting up to 10 documents for a water connection and sought guidance on handling missing documents. PMC officials advised that such issues should be presented before senior officials for resolution. Residents also requested a map to know exactly which areas would receive water supply.
PMC's Assurance
A PMC official from the Pune Camp office provided an update on the water supply project: 'As far as water supply is concerned, the pipeline works are on and water has reached the tanks. Once the proper supply starts, the water coming into the tanks will be tested thoroughly. Then water will start flowing into homes. The whole process should take a fortnight.'
