Pune: PMC To Introduce Licensing Policy For Water Tanker Drivers Amid Concerns of Contamination

Pune, 25th January 2025: Amid rising complaints of contaminated water supply in newly incorporated municipal areas, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to implement a licensing policy for water tanker drivers. The move aims to monitor and regulate water sources used by tankers, ensuring safer water delivery to residents.
Residents of Khadakwasla and Kirkitwadi on Sinhagad Road have raised concerns about contaminated water, with fears linking it to the increase in suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in these areas. Over the past three days, the number of suspected GBS patients in the city has risen sharply, from 24 to 73, with several patients requiring ventilator support.
Currently, tankers supply water to many of these areas due to gaps in the municipal water distribution network. However, PMC’s Water Supply Department has admitted that it lacks oversight of where tanker drivers are sourcing the water they deliver.
A recent case in Kharadi revealed a tanker supplying water processed from sewage to society, prompting the PMC to consider stricter regulations. As part of the proposed licensing policy, tanker operators will be required to provide details of their water source and the societies they supply, along with their personal information.
Nandkishore Jagtap, Chief Engineer of PMC’s Water Supply Department, emphasized the importance of this policy: “We will ensure that tanker drivers obtain a license and supply water only from verified sources. Residents are advised to only accept water from licensed tanker operators to avoid health risks.”
The PMC is also considering color-coding tankers that supply treated sewage water to prevent misuse or accidental consumption. Jagtap added that this licensing initiative is particularly urgent in light of the growing number of suspected GBS cases in the city.
Tankers are an essential stopgap measure in areas facing water supply issues, but the lack of regulation has raised serious health concerns. The PMC aims to enforce the licensing policy soon to ensure transparency and accountability in water distribution.