PMC to Upload Builders’ Water Affidavits Online Amid Rising Complaints in Pune
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 24th April 2026: The water crisis in newly developed residential areas triggered a heated debate in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) general body meeting, with corporators alleging that builders are misleading homebuyers by failing to honour written commitments on water supply.
Raising the issue, corporators said builders routinely submit affidavits assuring water supply for new housing projects in areas where the civic body is unable to provide it. However, after possession is handed over, residents are forced to rely on expensive private water tankers, resulting in monthly expenses running into lakhs of rupees.
Corporator Sachin Dodke questioned why no action has been taken against builders who allegedly violate these undertakings. He pointed out that while developers commit to supplying water at their own cost until PMC infrastructure is in place, the assurance often remains only on paper. He demanded that tanker expenses incurred by housing societies be recovered directly from such builders.
Supporting the demand, Congress city president and corporator Arvind Shinde said homebuyers rely on permissions and assurances issued by the civic body while purchasing flats. He questioned how occupancy certificates are granted even when developers fail to provide water in areas lacking PMC supply. He also sought data on action taken against errant developers so far.
Leader of the House Ganesh Bidkar highlighted that basic water supply and drainage infrastructure is still incomplete in 34 newly merged villages, including Lohgaon, Wagholi and Baner. He demanded detailed information on the status of these pending projects.
Responding to the concerns, City Engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar said Pune’s geographical expansion to nearly 500 sq km has put significant pressure on infrastructure. He stated that work under the AMRUT scheme and the 24×7 water supply project is underway at five locations in newly added areas, but completion will take time.
In a move aimed at improving transparency, Pawaskar announced that affidavits submitted by builders regarding water supply commitments will soon be uploaded on the PMC website. This, he said, will help prospective homebuyers understand the ground reality before making purchase decisions. He added that the administration is also working on a new policy to initiate legal action against developers who fail to comply with their commitments.
Mayor Manjusha Nagpure directed the administration to present a comprehensive policy before the general body to address the issue. She acknowledged that rapid urbanisation has strained civic systems and said a structured framework is needed to fix accountability where builders fail to deliver promised services.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Parashuram Wadekar expressed strong displeasure over prolonged delays in resolving water issues in areas like Chikhalwadi and Bopodi. He said residents have been dependent on tanker water for nearly seven years despite approved projects.
Responding to this, officials said work on one water tank is in progress, while land constraints are delaying another project.
