Pune: PMC Plans App-Based Water Tanker Booking to Curb Overcharging
Pune, 23rd October 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) plans to launch a mobile application within the next two months to allow residents to book water tankers at transparent rates, similar to booking a cab. The initiative aims to curb overcharging by private tanker operators as water cuts increase demand for alternative water supplies across the city.
Residents in the old city limits and newly merged villages currently pay between ₹700 and ₹1,200 per tanker. The PMC has received complaints about operators charging exorbitant rates, prompting the civic body to introduce an app-based booking system to regulate the service and bring greater transparency to transactions.
The civic administration has initiated the process of developing the application. However, the proposal, first considered around six months ago, was put on hold after the city’s dams filled to capacity in July. The PMC has now revived the initiative amid concerns over water availability.
Nandkishor Jagtap, chief engineer of the PMC’s water supply department, said the tendering process had been delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct for the Legislative Council elections. The process will begin once the code is lifted. The project is estimated to cost around ₹35 lakh over three years.
PMC to Extend Existing Tanker Booking System
The proposed application will be based on a system already being used to supply water tankers to 104 housing societies in Sus and Mahalunge. Developed by a private company, the existing platform records tanker registration numbers, driver details and information about PMC officials.
Housing society chairpersons can register their water requirements through the application and receive information about tanker availability and expected delivery timings. They are also provided with the tanker’s registration number, the driver’s contact details and a one-time password (OTP).
The transaction is completed after the water is delivered and the OTP is shared with the driver, helping track deliveries and improve accountability.
The PMC intends to extend this system across the city to make tanker bookings more transparent and reduce the possibility of residents being overcharged.
PMC Introduces 10% Water Cut Across Pune
Meanwhile, the civic body has introduced a 10% water cut across Pune, with reduced supply every Thursday, to conserve water amid concerns over storage levels.
The Khadakwasla dam system, which supplies water to the city, has less than 3.5 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) more water than it had during the corresponding period last year. Rising temperatures and evaporation could further reduce available water stocks.
According to the PMC, continuing the current pattern of water cuts could help save at least 2.30 TMC of water over the next nine months. With demand for private tankers expected to increase, the proposed mobile application is intended to offer residents a more convenient booking facility while improving transparency in tanker services.
