Pune, 13 March 2026: As summer intensifies in Pune, the demand for water tankers across the city has risen sharply. Many areas are facing inadequate municipal water supply, forcing residents to depend increasingly on tanker deliveries.
Officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said the demand for tankers began rising as early as December. The need continued to increase through January and February and is expected to rise further as temperatures climb in the coming months.
Several suburban localities including Dhankawadi, Katraj, Kondhwa, Yewalewadi, Kirkatwadi, Vadgaon Budruk, Dhayari, Wagholi, Dhanori, Lohgaon, Sus and Pashan have reported a noticeable increase in tanker requests. These areas either receive low-pressure water supply or lack an adequate water pipeline network, making tanker supply necessary.
PMC provides free tanker water in locations where regular municipal supply is not available or remains insufficient. In other areas, residents can request tanker services by paying a fixed charge.
The civic body also supplies water to private tanker operators at subsidised rates so they can distribute it across the city.
To manage the increasing demand, PMC has established seven tanker filling points at Parvati, Vadgaon Sheri, Dhayari, Ramtekdi, Chatushrungi, Padmavati and Patwardhan Baug. Both municipal and private tankers fill water from these points and deliver it to various parts of the city.
Data from the PMC water supply department shows a steady rise in tanker trips. In January this year, 42,542 tanker trips were recorded. The number increased to 46,068 in February 2026, compared to 39,488 trips in February 2025, indicating a sharp rise in demand.
Over the last three years, the demand for tanker water during February has steadily increased, from 33,951 trips in 2024 to 39,488 in 2025, and now 46,068 in 2026.
“Water demand increases during summer. Since the second week of February, the rising heat has led to a sharp increase in tanker demand. In areas where water pressure is low or the municipal supply system is not available, the civic body is providing tanker water free of cost,” said Nandkishor Jagtap, Chief Engineer of the PMC Water Supply Department.