Pune Residents Demand Strict SOPs After Fatal Water Tanker Accidents
Residents in Pune's NIBM-Undri and Wanowrie areas are demanding immediate implementation of strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to regulate water tanker movement following two recent fatal accidents. Housing societies emphasize that while tanker water supply is essential, authorities must introduce comprehensive regulations to ensure safety.
Recent Tragic Incidents Spark Urgent Calls for Action
Two young individuals lost their lives in separate accidents involving private water tankers. Aariz Shaikh, a 19-year-old from Pargenagar, was killed on Sunday when a water tanker hit his two-wheeler on NIBM-Raheja Vista Road. Just two days later, on Tuesday, 22-year-old Gracia Daniel Isa from Wanowrie died in a similar incident near Ganga Satellite society in Wanowrie.
These tragic events have intensified calls for immediate regulatory measures from local residents and housing society representatives who have long expressed concerns about reckless tanker driving.
Water Committee Meetings Highlight Systemic Issues
The issue of reckless tanker driving has been discussed multiple times in water committee meetings, which were established to review water availability in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and areas under the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). These meetings were initiated following a High Court directive after housing societies filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing worsening urban water shortages.
Satya Muley, the lawyer representing housing societies in the PIL and coordinating water committee meetings, emphasized the urgency of implementing SOPs. "We have repeatedly advised the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and other local bodies that tanker water supply is essential, but SOPs must be put in place to regulate tankers' movement, ensure proper monitoring of operations, and implement speed checks for safety," he stated.
Muley revealed that the issue was highlighted in a water committee meeting even a year ago, with authorities being advised to:
- Conduct a census of private tankers
- Identify and record water sources
- Introduce water quality checks
- Regulate tanker operations
However, implementation of these measures remains pending despite the clear recommendations.
Residents Describe a Catch-22 Situation
Sunil Kaloti of the Mohammadwadi Undri Residents Welfare Development Foundation described the dilemma facing residents. "It is a Catch-22 situation. Residents in Mohammadwadi and Undri are largely dependent on tankers for water, but these must operate under strict monitoring with GPS tracking and speed limits," he explained.
Kaloti added that repeated incidents of rash and drunk driving by tanker operators have been reported, and residents plan to approach traffic police to seek data on tanker hit-and-run deaths for stricter enforcement actions.
Lack of Driver Verification and Daytime Restrictions Proposed
Jaymala Dhankikar, a resident of Ganga Kingston Society in NIBM Annex and a civic activist, highlighted the absence of proper driver verification. "There is no proper record or verification of drivers operating these tankers. The accident where a tanker driver, allegedly drunk, killed a 19-year-old highlights the seriousness of the issue," she said.
Dhankikar suggested that authorities consider restricting water tanker movement during daytime hours. "They should ideally be allowed to operate only at night when traffic is minimal," she proposed as a potential safety measure.
Infrastructure Challenges and Municipal Supply Gaps
Nitin D'souza, a resident of Archana Paradise society and another civic activist, pointed to infrastructure challenges compounding the problem. "Narrow roads and rampant encroachments have made commuting difficult. There is barely any space left for vehicles, let alone pedestrians. Tanker drivers frequently violate traffic rules and engage in rash driving," he stated.
D'souza revealed that residents recently caught a tanker driver operating without a valid license, underscoring the lack of oversight in the current system.
Highlighting the broader concern, D'souza explained that residents have little alternative but to depend on private water tankers due to inadequate municipal supply. "Even as the civic body continues to approve new projects, there is no water supply in the area. As a result, housing societies are forced to spend lakhs of rupees on tankers, and the movement of these heavy vehicles is increasing day by day, increasing the risk of accidents," he emphasized.
Community Calls for Immediate Action
Naveen Sharma, a Wanowrie resident, reported that water tankers headed toward Undri and the NIBM area are frequently driven recklessly. "The traffic police and authorities concerned must take strict action, only then can accidents involving these heavy vehicles be prevented," he urged.
The collective demand from Pune residents is clear: while water tankers remain essential for daily survival in areas with inadequate municipal supply, immediate implementation of strict SOPs with proper monitoring mechanisms is crucial to prevent further tragedies on the city's roads.
