Pune: Housing Federation Opposes PCMC’s Proposed STP, Sewerage Charges

Pimpri Chinchwad, 1st September 2026: The Chikhali-Moshi-Charholi Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Society Federation has opposed the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) proposal to levy STP and sewerage connection charges, listed in the agenda for the general body meeting on September 2.

Federation president Sanjivan Sangle has urged the civic body not to approve the proposal in its present form, saying it would impose an additional financial burden on housing society residents.

The federation said it supports keeping sewage treatment plants (STPs) operational, ensuring proper treatment of sewage and increasing the reuse of treated water. However, it opposed what it termed an additional and double financial burden on residents in the name of environmental protection.

According to the federation, the proposal includes a Rs 500 charge per residential flat and a separate Rs 10,000 charge per sewerage connection. It has sought clarification on whether the two charges relate to different services and why both are being levied.

The federation has also raised concerns over the proposal making developers responsible for payment, saying residents could eventually be forced to bear the burden if developers fail to pay. It has demanded a legal mechanism to ensure recovery of the charges from developers and prevent their liability from being shifted to housing societies.

The federation also questioned the PCMC’s treated water reuse target, saying that while 50% reuse is expected, the actual figure is around 30%. It has sought an inquiry into the reasons for the shortfall and demanded incentives for societies that reuse more than 50% of their treated wastewater.

It has further sought transparency over the utilisation of funds collected through the proposed charges, including details of spending on STP improvements, maintenance and increasing treated water reuse.

“Environmental protection is not opposed by us. STPs must function properly and treated water reuse must increase. However, we do not accept a policy that imposes a financial burden on housing society residents in the name of the environment. There should be no double charge for the same service and the developer’s responsibility should not be shifted to societies. The proposal should not be approved in its present form. Otherwise, the federation will launch an agitation,” Sangle said.