Pune, 30 April 2026: The ₹2400 crore equal water supply project has come under sharp criticism as rising water leakages highlight serious lapses in execution and oversight.
The project, undertaken in 2017 by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), was expected to be completed within five years, but around 20 percent of the work still remains pending as of April 2026.
A major concern is the ‘gap closing’ process, connecting small pipeline sections left incomplete during earlier phases. These stretches, usually 10 to 20 feet long, are now emerging as weak points.
In many cases, pipelines begin leaking within days of completion, especially after the ground settles, pointing to poor workmanship and lack of quality checks.
Serious water leakages have been reported at prominent junctions such as Chandni Chowk and Savitribai Phule Pune University Chowk. With around 125 gap-closing works still pending or poorly executed, the issue appears widespread rather than isolated, raising questions over contractor performance and monitoring.
At a time when Pune faces peak summer demand, the ongoing leakages are leading to significant water wastage. Instead of improving supply efficiency, the project is straining resources and worsening public inconvenience.
Each leakage forces authorities to stop water supply and dig up roads again for repairs. Due to traffic congestion, most work is carried out at night, adding to inconvenience for residents and commuters. This repeated cycle reflects deeper systemic inefficiencies.
Officials have warned of action against negligent contractors and engineers, but recurring failures suggest weak enforcement. Without strict accountability and improved execution, the project risks becoming a costly example of civic mismanagement rather than a solution to Pune’s water challenges.