Pune Drinking Water Issue: NCP Corporators Gift Water Purifiers to Mayor, PMC Commissioner in Protest

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Shivajinagar, 16th October 2026: Concerns over drinking water quality in Pune and the drought situation in Maharashtra triggered a heated exchange between ruling party and opposition members during the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) general body meeting.

NCP corporators Amol Balwadkar and Nilesh Nikam protested by presenting water purifiers to Mayor Manjusha Nagpure and Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, demanding action over allegations that some commercial establishments near the Khadakwasla dam area were releasing contaminated wastewater into water sources.

Balwadkar called for an immediate investigation into the alleged discharge of polluted wastewater by hotels, restaurants and other commercial establishments in the Khadakwasla dam catchment area. The protest brought the issue of drinking water quality to the forefront of the civic meeting.

The allegations raised concerns about the protection of water sources supplying Pune, although the claims require verification by the concerned authorities.

Water pollution and drought dominate civic meeting
The meeting also witnessed a political confrontation over the drought situation in Maharashtra, where inadequate rainfall has affected farmers in several areas. Government agencies and various organisations have been extending assistance to farmers facing difficulties.

During the discussion, members from the ruling party and the opposition exchanged allegations over their respective approaches to the drought crisis and the need to support affected farmers.

BJP proposes one-year honorarium contribution

BJP Pune city president Dheeraj Ghate proposed that all BJP corporators contribute their honorarium for one year towards assistance for farmers in drought-affected regions.

Congress corporators responded that they would make a decision based on instructions from their group leader. The exchange led to a heated argument between members of the ruling party and the opposition.

Several speakers subsequently appealed for support to farmers facing losses due to drought conditions. They also referred to Pune residents’ contributions during previous crises and urged citizens to extend assistance to affected farming communities.

The meeting thus saw two major issues — the protection of Pune’s drinking water sources and relief for drought-hit farmers — emerge as key points of debate among civic representatives.