Pune Water Crisis: Kharadi Residents Hold Hunger Strike Over PMC Supply Failure

Kharadi, 1st May 2026: Residents of Kharadi staged a peaceful chain hunger strike on Friday morning, demanding immediate resolution of the ongoing water crisis in the rapidly growing suburb. The protest was organised by the Kharadi Housing Societies Welfare Association (KHSWA) near the PMC water tank on DP Farms Road, drawing participation from multiple housing societies.

The agitation, which began at 9:30 AM, highlighted long-standing issues such as irregular municipal water supply, heavy dependence on private tankers, and rising maintenance costs for residents. Local MLA Bapusaheb Pathare, along with corporators Surendra Pathare and Shailyjeet Bansode, visited the protest site and extended support to the residents.

According to KHSWA, the protest is part of a broader effort to push the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to ensure reliable and adequate water supply to Kharadi. PMC officials from the water department have assured residents that they will visit the site on Saturday morning to assess the situation.

Deepak Patil, Chairman of KHSWA, said the association has been raising the issue for years without concrete action. “Despite paying all statutory taxes, residents are still deprived of basic water supply. This peaceful protest is to demand accountability and a permanent solution to the crisis,” he said.

Manoj Dudhankar, Secretary of KHSWA, stressed the financial burden on residents due to tanker dependency. “Societies are forced to spend heavily on private water tankers, which significantly increases maintenance costs per flat. This is not sustainable for middle-class families,” he said.

Kunal Ranjan, Treasurer of KHSWA, added that transparency in water allocation and infrastructure planning is crucial. “We need clear data on sanctioned water supply versus actual supply, along with timelines for infrastructure upgrades. Without this, the problem will persist,” he said.

The association has submitted a formal representation to PMC outlining its concerns and demands. In the letter, KHSWA stated that over 50 housing societies, representing around 25,000 to 30,000 residents, are affected by the water shortage in Kharadi.

The memorandum pointed out that despite being a major residential and commercial hub contributing significantly to the city’s tax revenue, Kharadi continues to face severe water scarcity and inadequate infrastructure. Residents are forced to rely on private tankers at high costs, effectively paying twice for water—once through taxes and again through private procurement.

Among the key demands raised by KHSWA are immediate and uninterrupted PMC water supply as per sanctioned norms, a time-bound written plan for infrastructure augmentation, reimbursement of tanker expenses, and accountability against officials responsible for the prolonged civic failure. The association has also called for transparency in water allocation data, formation of a joint coordination committee, and a temporary regulated tanker supply system until permanent solutions are implemented.

Additionally, residents have demanded the appointment of a dedicated nodal officer for Kharadi and a halt to new project approvals until adequate water infrastructure is in place.

Echoing the concerns, Kharadi resident Sumit Dusad said, “Residents are facing the double burden of high property taxes and rising maintenance costs, yet continue to struggle with inadequate water supply. Access to water is a basic right, not a privilege. Citizens are effectively paying twice for a fundamental necessity.”

KHSWA has warned that if immediate corrective action is not taken, residents may explore legal remedies to address what they describe as a violation of their fundamental rights and civic entitlements.