Viman Nagar, 4th February 2024: Despite assurances from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) that a temporary leakage issue in a water tank has been resolved, residents of Viman Nagar continue to grapple with persistent water supply challenges. The situation has raised doubts about the efficacy of the purported fixes and has prompted concerns among residents, particularly with the approaching summer months.
Despite PMC’s claim of a swift resolution to the leakage problem, Viman Nagar residents remain unconvinced. The ongoing low-pressure water supply has led to an increased reliance on water tankers for daily needs, and residents fear that this trend will exacerbate as summer approaches.
A frustrated resident voiced her concerns, stating, “Our society has relied on private water tankers for years, and the need for tankers surges in the summer. Currently, we require a minimum of two tankers every day due to low pressure in our supply lines. We have evidence to support this claim.”
The chairman of a housing society highlighted the financial strain caused by the water supply issues, revealing, “Over the last three months, we have been procuring an average of seven water tankers daily, incurring a monthly expenditure of Rs 1.8 lakh for utility water supply. There were instances where the monthly cost soared to Rs 2.2 lakh. The water supply has dwindled in recent weeks.”
Another resident shared the escalating financial burden, stating, “In the last few weeks, our society has been spending nearly Rs 4,000 a day on tankers for both drinking and utility purposes, compared to Rs 1,500 per day in the same period last year. The water pressure has consistently decreased, and the expenses on buying water are mounting.”
Seeking clarity, residents reached out to Ramesh Waghmare, the executive engineer of PMC’s water supply department. Waghmare explained, “There was a leakage issue in one of the tanks for the last two weeks, leading to water being supplied from a single tank. However, repairs have been undertaken, and the issue is now resolved.”
He added, “Water gushing through pipes at varying pressures can cause cracks or bursts, and this issue isn’t isolated to Viman Nagar. Similar repair works occur in other areas of the city. Supplies from Bhama Askhed dam remain stable without any reduction.”
Despite these assurances, Viman Nagar residents remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for a sustainable and permanent solution to their prolonged water supply challenges.
