Pune: Residents of housing societies in Holkarwadi, Undri, Pisoli and Mohammadwadi on Wednesday complained to civic officials about inadequate daily water supply during a meeting convened against the backdrop of a PIL filed in the Bombay high court about water problems in these areas.Various issues pertaining to water supply were discussed at the joint meeting held at PMC’s head office on Wednesday between water supply department officials and residents. Residents said Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s inability to supply adequate water has led to an increased dependence on tankers. It causes immense hardships and a significant amount of money is being spent to buy water, despite regular payment of property and other taxes, they added.People blamed the poor water distribution network, which prevented a healthy supply. PMC has not been able to distribute water to local areas from three overhead storage tanks ready for the last few months. Satya Muley, representing housing societies before the high court, said residents put forth their grievances before the civic administration during the meeting. “We will follow up with PMC on all the cases and push the authorities to work out immediate or short-term solutions to improve water availability,” he said.Most parts of Undri, Pisoli, Handewadi, Shewalewadi and Mohammadwadi were merged with PMC in 2017 and 2021. However, residents said they are unhappy with the haphazard development and lack of basic amenities like water supply and drainage systems.Ashish Ingale of Majestique Rhythm County housing society said his complex, which has over 700 flats, has been facing an immense scarcity. “PMC is not providing water. Adequate tankers are not being deployed, forcing us to purchase water from private tankers at high rates. We have been following up on the issue with the civic administration, but there is no progress, so far,” Ingale said.Sanjay Kunte of Nandini Bellus housing society said they call tankers daily because of the water shortage. Though the society has a PMC water connection, the supply is erratic and only on alternate days.Mohammadwadi resident Ramesh Ghule said his society calls around 25 tankers daily since PMC neither provides water tankers nor supplies water through pipelines.Rakesh Zambre of Undri said PMC needs to strengthen local water sources to meet demands and should start working on long-term solutions.Snehal Dagade, former sarpanch of Undri, said many housing societies are unable to meet water demands because of lapses in supply and shortfalls in availability. There is a need to put more effort into resolving the issues pertaining to the distribution system.Head of PMC’s water supply department Nandkishor Jagtap said, “Complaints will be dealt with on priority. We are directing our officers to address the issues individually and increase tanker trips. Pending works like laying of pipelines will be completed at the earliest. As long-term measures, the administration is coming out with a detailed project report to strengthen supply in the affected areas.”
