The simmering discontent over Pune's worsening water crisis boiled over at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) general body meeting on Wednesday, with corporators from across the city voicing sharp concerns over the chaotic rollout of alternate-day water supply.
Corporators Raise Alarm on Water Supply Issues
A section of corporators painted a grim picture from their wards, highlighting low pressure, irregular supply, and a complete lack of oversight on tanker operations. Many alleged that residents were being pushed to the brink while tanker mafias thrived unchecked.
PMC Leader Defends Water Cuts
Leader of the house Ganesh Bidkar attempted to justify the water cuts, citing the El Nino threat and fears of deficient monsoon rainfall. He stated, "These decisions are not arbitrary," warning that the city could face even harsher cuts if monsoon patterns faltered. However, he admitted that coordination needed improvement, suggesting the creation of social media groups between officials and corporators to address complaints in real time.
Opposition Demands Accountability
The explanation did little to calm tempers. Leader of opposition Nilesh Nikam launched a pointed attack, demanding accountability and clarity. He said, "PMC owes answers to the residents," questioning what concrete steps were being taken to mitigate the crisis and ensure tanker supply to the worst-hit areas. Representatives from Sus-Baner said entire localities had gone without adequate water for three days, while those from Hadapsar highlighted persistent low pressure, leaving households struggling to meet even basic needs.
Former Mayor Questions Preparedness
Former mayor Prashant Jagtap struck a more alarming note, questioning why early warnings from the weather department were ignored. He asked, "This crisis didn't arrive overnight. If predictions were available, why wasn't the city prepared?"
Congress Member Blames Planning Failure
The sharpest criticism came from Congress member Arvind Shinde, who demanded that responsibility be fixed. He stated, "Even with healthy dam storage after last monsoon, Pune is facing an acute shortage. This is not a natural crisis, it is a planning failure," raising uncomfortable questions over unchecked construction approvals amid strained resources.
Congress Members Stage Protest
The tension spilled onto the floor right at the start of the meeting, with Congress corporators staging a protest against the water cuts. Raising slogans and condemning the administration's approach, they alleged that the current system disproportionately benefits tanker operators. The corporators urged the administration to present a transparent and effective plan, emphasizing that the city deserved a fair and reliable water supply, not a system that forced people to depend on private tankers.
