Pune: PMC Tightens Water Tanker Monitoring to Curb Thefts
Pune, 16th February 2025: In an effort to curb water theft and ensure proper distribution, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has assigned its water supply department employees the responsibility of monitoring water tankers. These tankers supply water to areas where the civic body does not have a direct pipeline network.
To track their movement, the tankers have been equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS). Previously, only senior officials of the water supply department had access to the GPS login credentials. However, due to their multiple responsibilities, they could not prioritize real-time monitoring.
Over time, complaints surfaced that some tanker drivers were diverting water to unauthorized locations despite customers paying the required fees. The lack of active GPS tracking made it difficult for the water supply department to verify whether the municipal water was reaching its intended destinations.
Following persistent demands from NGO representatives, PMC has now transferred the monitoring responsibility to regional office employees. These employees will be given login IDs and passwords to track the tankers’ movements and submit daily reports on their dispatch and delivery locations.
“The responsibility of monitoring the tankers has now been assigned to our employees, who will be required to submit regular reports,” said Nandkishore Jagtap, Head of the Water Supply Department.
Welcoming this decision, Vivek Velankar, President of Sajag Nagarik Manch, emphasized the importance of accountability in water distribution. “It is crucial to ensure that water supplied through contractors reaches the intended locations. Assigning this responsibility to employees at the tanker points will help prevent misuse,” he stated.
The new monitoring mechanism aims to streamline water distribution, reduce irregularities, and ensure that citizens in water-scarce areas receive their rightful supply.
