Pune, 1st July 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) General Body meeting on Tuesday witnessed sharp criticism of the civic administration over the functioning of private water tankers amid the city's worsening water shortage.
Corporators alleged that residents are being forced to pay exorbitant prices for water while irregularities at tanker filling points continue unchecked due to poor monitoring by officials.
The discussion began after corporator Satish Londhe raised the issue through a written question. Members from across the House claimed that private tanker operators are charging up to ₹5,000 per tanker and accused civic officials of failing to respond to complaints or curb the alleged malpractice.
Taking note of the concerns raised, Mayor Manjusha Nagpure directed the administration to regulate private tanker rates, bring groundwater sources under civic control wherever possible, and formulate a comprehensive policy for tanker management.
The city's water shortage has become a serious concern. Regulating private tanker rates is essential, and immediate action should also be taken to bring groundwater sources under civic control.
Manjusha Nagpure, PMC Mayor
Corporator Puneet Joshi alleged that large numbers of private tankers are being supplied water from the Patwardhan Baug filling point every day and demanded that only PMC-authorised tankers be allowed to draw water there.
Hemlata Magar said residents of Magarpatta City continue to face severe water shortages despite repeated requests for tanker supply. Datta Bharane also sought stricter regulation of private tanker movement at the Chatushrungi tanker filling point.
Several other corporators, including Prashant Tupe, Vyenkoji Khopde, Ganesh Kalyankar, Rupali Dhawade, Kaka Chavan, Prashant Jagtap, Nitin Gawade, Asia Shaikh and Priyanka Shendge, also raised concerns over the functioning of the tanker system.
Responding to the debate, Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur said the city has imposed a 25 per cent water supply cut due to declining reservoir levels. She informed the House that eight tanker filling points are currently operational and three more will be opened soon.
CCTV cameras are being installed at all tanker points to improve transparency, while a policy to regulate private tanker rates is expected within the next two to three days.
The meeting also saw a disagreement over the number of private tankers operating from the Parvati filling point. After officials stated that around 450 tankers are filled there daily, including 150 private tankers, corporator Sachin More disputed the figures.
Please do not present incorrect information. Nearly 80 per cent of the water is being supplied to private tankers, which is then sold to builders and hotels instead of reaching ordinary citizens.
Sachin More, PMC Corporator
More also alleged that records maintained at tanker filling centres are inaccurate and claimed that commercial interests are benefiting at the cost of citizens.
During the discussion, corporators alleged that groundwater from private borewells is being commercially sold through tanker operators, records at tanker filling points are poorly maintained, and new filling centres have not been opened despite increasing demand.
They urged the administration to strengthen monitoring and ensure that water meant for citizens is not diverted for commercial use.
