Pune’s water crisis is not new, nor is the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) habit of making tall claims and then failing to deliver. A city that was promised round-the-clock drinking water supply now finds itself at the mercy of private water tankers. And while citizens are left struggling for every drop, tanker contractors are making a fortune.
The Reality Behind “Equitable Water Supply”
When PMC realized that a 24/7 water supply was nothing but an empty slogan, it pivoted to a so-called “equitable water supply” plan. But even this promise has collapsed under the weight of mismanagement, water shortages, and an ever-growing dependence on private tankers.
The numbers tell the story: In January 2025, Pune saw a staggering 39,692 tankers supplying water—7,112 more than last year. If this is what “equitable” means, one must wonder whether the PMC’s dictionary is different from everyone else’s.
The city’s sanctioned water quota is 11.5 TMC, yet PMC keeps overdrawing from reservoirs, leading to fines from the Water Resources Department. And what happens if PMC refuses to pay? The department threatens to cut the city’s water supply—as if punishing citizens for their own failures is the solution.
Who Pays the Price? Citizens. Who Profits? Tanker Operators.
The situation is worse in Pune’s newly included villages and suburbs, where water pipelines are either non-existent or insufficient. Tankers remain the only source of water, turning water—a basic right—into a commodity controlled by private contractors.
A look at the January 2025 data shows:
- 35,527 tankers were provided for free.
- 4,165 tankers were supplied on a paid basis.
- A society or an individual must pay ₹1,282 for a tanker.
- Private tanker operators get passes for ₹666 per tanker but are free to charge citizens whatever they wish.
As a result, the tanker mafia flourishes, exploiting desperate citizens who have no other choice but to pay inflated rates.
The Technology Gimmick
To counter the rising theft of water, PMC is now introducing GPS tracking for tankers. While this might prevent some unauthorized diversions, it does nothing to stop the extortionate prices tankers charge. If the PMC was truly serious about accountability, it would cap the price of tanker water, not just track their movement.
Citizens’ Voices: Ignored and Unheard
The Manjari area is a perfect example of PMC’s failure. Despite a water tank and pipeline network, water simply does not reach residents. Complaints to the water department go unanswered, and the suffering continues.
Sainath Babar, City President of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, sums it up:
“People have complained to PMC, but nothing has changed. Repeated calls to the department go unanswered. It’s clear that officials are more interested in covering up their failures than in solving the problem.”
The Bigger Picture: A Manufactured Crisis?
If Pune’s water supply was well-managed, would private tankers still be in such high demand? The rise in
The data regarding the increase in water tanker usage in Pune comes from reports by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and has been cited by Navarashtra (source).
According to PMC officials, the number of water tankers supplying the city in January 2025 reached 39,692, marking a steady increase over the past three years. The figures indicate:
| Year | Tankers Supplied |
|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 28,580 |
| 2023-24 | 32,580 |
| 2024-25 | 39,692 |
This rise in tanker dependency highlights PMC’s struggle to ensure an equitable water supply, leading to concerns about water mismanagement and reliance on private tanker operators.
PMC officials continue to claim that “it’s too early to say” whether demand is rising. But the numbers don’t lie. This is not a temporary problem. This is a systemic failure—one that benefits those who profit from scarcity.
The Question Pune Must Ask
Who benefits when a basic necessity like water becomes a luxury? How much longer will citizens be forced to buy water while the government remains a silent spectator? And most importantly—when will accountability replace excuses?
