Pune: Undri-Kondhwa Residents Flag Safety Risks Amid Rising Tanker Traffic, Water Crisis

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi

Undri, 20th April 2026: A high-level meeting addressing water scarcity and rising traffic risks was held at Kondhwa Police Station on Monday, bringing together senior traffic police officials, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) authorities, tanker operators, and residents from NIBM Annexe, Mohammadwadi, and Undri.

The meeting was convened following growing public concern after multiple tanker-related incidents in the area.

Residents Flag Serious Safety Concerns

Residents raised serious concerns over the frequent movement of heavy water tankers, describing it as a major safety hazard for commuters and pedestrians.

In recent days, four tanker-related incidents have been reported in the area, including three fatalities and one serious accident.

They pointed out that narrow internal roads, combined with continuous tanker movement, have significantly increased the risk of accidents, particularly for two-wheeler riders.

Local resident Raj Singh said:
“The frequent movement of heavy water tankers throughout the day has made our roads extremely unsafe. Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians are the most vulnerable. We are living in constant fear, and immediate action is needed before more lives are lost.”

Citizens demanded stricter traffic control measures and long-term solutions to reduce dependency on private tankers.

Tanker Operators Reject ‘Mafia’ Tag

Responding to the concerns, tanker representative Sushant Lonkar rejected allegations of a “tanker mafia” and outlined operational challenges.

“We are not a tanker mafia. We are simply filling the gap between PMC supply and residents’ needs. Societies like Raheja Vista have nearly 2,000 residents and require close to 1 lakh litres of water every day. If PMC does not have the capacity to supply that much water, how will residents manage without tankers?” he said.

He added, “We are also facing challenges. Due to fines, penalties, and rising costs, our margin is only around ₹100 to ₹150 per trip. If the situation improves and PMC supplies sufficient water, we are willing to shut our business. But blaming tanker operators alone for every issue is not fair.”

Police Stress Accountability and Safety

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manoj Patil emphasised that heavy vehicle operators must exercise greater caution.

“Tankers and other heavy vehicles are like elder brothers on the road. It is their responsibility to take extra care of smaller vehicles such as two-wheelers. Even a minor mistake can result in serious or fatal accidents,” he said.

Issuing a warning, he added, “If any tanker driver is found driving under the influence of alcohol, strict action will be taken against both the driver and the owner. There will be zero tolerance for such negligence.”

He also instructed that heavy vehicles entering the city from outside should be checked and, if necessary, diverted from Navale Bridge to reduce congestion and risk in internal areas.
Tanker Regulations and Traffic Measures Planned
DCP Traffic Himmat Jadhav said regulatory measures are being planned.

“We are working on introducing fixed time slots for tanker movement, along with strict speed limits for heavy vehicles in residential areas. These steps aim to reduce accidents and improve traffic discipline,” he said.

Proposal for Dedicated Traffic Unit

Highlighting the need for stronger enforcement, Manoj Patil said a separate traffic police chowki or a new division is being considered for NIBM, Undri, Mohammadwadi, and nearby areas to ensure better traffic management and quicker response to violations.

PMC Assures Water Infrastructure Boost
Additional Commissioner Naval Kishor Ram (PMC) said the civic body is taking steps to improve water supply.

“The PMC has committed that within one month, three major water tanks near Royal Heritage Mall will be fully operational. This will help improve water supply in the area and reduce dependency on tanker services,” he said.

The meeting reflected increasing pressure from residents for immediate safety measures, while also highlighting the broader infrastructure gap driving tanker dependency. Authorities indicated that stricter enforcement and upcoming infrastructure improvements will be key to addressing these challenges in the near future.