Pune: PMC Clarifies Water Connection Charges After Mohammadwadi Residents Report Rs 50,000 Demands

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Mohammadwadi/Pune, 14th May 2026: Following reports of licensed plumbers demanding exorbitant fees of up to ₹50,000 for new water connections in the Mohammadwadi area, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a formal clarification. Chief Engineer (Water Supply) Nandkishore Jagtap stated that official PMC charges are fixed based on connection diameter and usage, and residents should not fall prey to misinformation or inflated quotes.

Official Rate Structure for 2026-27
The PMC has published a transparent fee schedule for new connections under General Body Resolution No. 809. The charges vary based on the size of the connection and the number of residential units.

According to the official fee schedule for the 2026-27 academic year, residential connection charges start at ₹1,475 for a half-inch connection (serving up to 12 flats), while non-residential charges for the same size are ₹3,104. For three-quarter-inch connections serving up to 24 flats, the residential fee is ₹2,946 and non-residential is ₹6,049. One-inch connections for up to 48 flats are priced at ₹7,757 for residential and ₹14,272 for non-residential use. In cases of larger complexes, a 1.5 to 2-inch connection costs ₹19,394 (residential) or ₹62,053 (non-residential).

Connections of 2.5 to 3 inches are charged at ₹29,477 and ₹80,667 respectively, while any connection above 3 inches incurs fees of ₹39,810 for residential and ₹1,19,452 for non-residential purposes. Furthermore, a mandatory individual deposit of ₹10,545 is required for owners, while tenants must pay ₹12,945.
Responsibility and Plumbing Charges
Jagtap clarified that the PMC is responsible for the pipeline from the main supply line to the water meter (typically up to 2 meters inside the building).

“The work beyond the meter, including internal plumbing and connection to storage tanks, is the owner’s responsibility,” Jagtap explained. “While this work must be done through one of the 575 PMC-licensed plumbers, the labor rates for these internal works are not set by the PMC. It is a private agreement between the plumber and the society/owner.”

Infrastructure Updates for Mohammadwadi
The press note also highlighted significant progress in the local water infrastructure:
New Storage Tanks: Three new tanks at Dorabjee Paradise are in the final stages of commissioning.
Impact: These tanks will supply water to 1,200–1,500 societies. Currently, these areas receive water from Ramtekdi and Bakri Hill, which often results in low pressure for societies located at higher altitudes. The new system will solve these pressure issues.
Help Desk: A special help desk was organized on May 9, 2026, where 41 applications for new connections were received. Similar help desks will be organized in the future as needed.

How to Report Overcharging
The PMC has urged citizens to verify the list of authorized plumbers and official rates on the website www.pmc.gov.in.

Residents facing unreasonable demands or “lump sum” quotes from plumbers are encouraged to file a written complaint with the Executive Engineer, Lashkar (Cantonment) Water Supply Division (located near St. Bishop High School, Camp, Pune-01). The administration warned that strict action would be taken against licensed plumbers found to be misleading citizens or overcharging.