Pune Municipal Corporation Tightens Rules on Free Water Tankers
Pune, 15th March 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has strengthened regulations for distributing free water tankers to areas with water scarcity or sudden supply disruptions. This move follows instances of misuse by some contractors who were diverting water meant for needy areas to unauthorized locations. Now, citizens must request water tankers directly from PMC officials, rather than relying on contractors.
The PMC provides around 1,400 free water tanker trips across the city, with 1,000 being regular and 400 for emergency or temporary needs. However, it was discovered that many of these emergency trips were being made without PMC’s authorization, leading to the new measures. Contractors are paid Rs 1,140 per trip, but they must now adhere strictly to municipal instructions to avoid unauthorized deliveries.
The misuse involved contractors linked to political figures, who would collect free water and claim transportation costs from the PMC while supplying it to unauthorized areas. To curb this practice, the PMC has warned that unauthorized deliveries will not be reimbursed, and contractors are prohibited from making unsanctioned deliveries. This change aims to ensure that free water reaches only those who genuinely need it.
