Pune Water Crisis: Major PMC Storage Tank Leak Wastes Lakhs of Liters for 15 Days
A critical water storage tank operated by the Pune Municipal Corporation near Bhagwatinagar in Sutarwadi has been leaking continuously for fifteen days, resulting in the wastage of lakhs of liters of precious potable water. Despite multiple complaints from concerned residents, the civic body has yet to successfully plug the leak, exacerbating water scarcity issues in the area.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Civic Inaction
Sameer Uttarkar, a local resident, highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that many housing societies are already facing acute water shortages and relying on tankers. "Every drop of water is precious, especially during summer. PMC must act immediately to stop such leaks," Uttarkar emphasized. He filed a complaint via the PMC helpline four days ago but has seen no resolution.
Uttarkar further criticized the lack of an alert system for water leaks, stating, "PMC needs a mechanism to quickly identify and address leaks. Lakhs of liters have already been lost through this ongoing leak."
Leak Creates Hazardous Road Conditions
The leaking water has been flowing downhill onto the main Sutarwadi road, making the surface slippery and dangerous. Dhananjay More, a resident of Vitthalnagar, reported that ongoing road construction has compounded the problem. "Heavy vehicles carrying mud are constantly passing through. The mud mixes with the water, creating a sludgy, hazardous surface that is particularly risky for two-wheeler riders," More explained.
PMC Response and Investigation Underway
Rahul Salunkhe, Executive Engineer in PMC's Water Supply Department, informed that workers were deputed on Tuesday to investigate the leak. "Our team has started digging in the area to determine the leak's origin—whether it's from the tank itself or the inlet/outlet pipes. We expect to pinpoint the exact location by Wednesday," Salunkhe stated.
He added that the repair timeline depends on the issue's nature: "Depending on what we find, the fix could be immediate or may require more time." However, residents remain concerned about the prolonged delay and continued water wastage during a period of heightened scarcity.
The incident underscores broader concerns about water management and infrastructure maintenance in Pune, particularly as summer approaches and demand for water increases.
