Responding to the escalating water scarcity crisis in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), a special committee convened under the directives of the Bombay High Court met on February 21 at the Pune Divisional Commissioner’s Office. The primary focus of the meeting was to establish an efficient mechanism for receiving water scarcity complaints, addressing the challenges faced by housing complexes during the summer.
Streamlining Water Scarcity Complaints
The committee, formed in response to PIL 126 of 2022 filed by various NGOs from the PMC, PCMC, and PMRDA regions, included key officials such as Poonam Mehta (Joint Commissioner, Pune Divisional Commissioner Office), Nandkishor Jagtap (Chief Engineer of water supply department of PMC), and Indrabhan Randive (Superintending Engineer, PMC). The key points discussed and proposed during the meeting include:
1. Email Mechanism: PMC and PCMC will publish dedicated email addresses ([email protected] and [email protected], respectively) for receiving water scarcity complaints from housing societies, apartments, and complexes.
2. Separate Meetings: PMC and PCMC commit to conducting separate monthly meetings to specifically address the complaints received, ensuring a focused approach.
3. Bi-Monthly Meetings: A bi-monthly meeting involving PMC, PCMC, and citizens’ representatives, presided over by the Divisional Commissioner’s Office, will be conducted to address unresolved issues from the monthly meetings, ensuring continuous dialogue.
4. PMRDA Mechanism: PMRDA will establish a similar mechanism to address water scarcity complaints in its region, extending the streamlined approach.
5. Advance Notice: Authorities will provide at least a four-day advance notice for upcoming meetings, allowing stakeholders to prepare and participate effectively.
6. Legal Compliance: The participation of the Member Secretary of the District Legal Aid Services Authority will be ensured to comply with Bombay High Court’s orders, reinforcing a commitment to legal and procedural compliance.
Addressing Practical Challenges
The meeting extensively discussed the current water scarcity situation, emphasizing the oppressive conditions faced by housing complexes during the summer. Issues such as exorbitant expenses on water tankers, unchecked polluted water, and resulting health problems were highlighted. Social worker Pushkar Kulkarni emphasized the need for PMC and PCMC to provide water through tankers if existing infrastructure falls short.
Advocate Satya Muley urged discontinuation of the practice of taking water affidavits from builders, citing its contribution to the growth of water tanker mafias. PMRDA was urged to implement a grievance redressal procedure within its jurisdiction.
“The proposed arrangement shall facilitate the capturing of the complaints. Housing complexes must now come forward and send their water scarcity-related complaints via emails. We shall compile a report about complaints and action taken by the respective corporations and submit it to Bombay High Court,” added Muley.
The collaborative efforts of the committee aim to streamline the process of addressing water scarcity issues and enhance responsiveness to public grievances.
