24×7 water supply scheme
Pune’s 24×7 Water Supply Project to Begin Trial Runs
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is scheduled to initiate trial runs for its 24×7 equitable water supply project next month. Although the project was announced nearly ten years ago, it has not yet become fully operational. According to civic officials, approximately 88% of the necessary civil works have been completed.
During the trial period, residents will not incur any water charges. A PMC official stated, “The bills generated will be used solely for inspection and system testing purposes. Detailed modalities for the trial runs are still being worked out. There is no proposal to recover water charges from citizens at this stage. Bills and meter readings will be generated only to evaluate the system during the testing phase.”
Inadequate pipeline infrastructure and the absence of sufficient overhead storage facilities in several localities have affected equitable distribution of water across the city, according to PMC’s water supply department. The 24×7 water supply project came under renewed focus after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis last month directed PMC to expedite pending works and complete the project at the earliest. The delay in execution has also become a political issue, with opposition parties, including Congress and NCP (SP), targeting BJP over the prolonged timeline.
Under the project, PMC has planned the construction of 83 overhead water storage tanks, installation of over 1,000km of new water distribution pipelines, and deployment of 2.75 lakh water meters. The project envisages the creation of 144 water distribution zones across Pune. “Work in nearly 60 water zones has reached the final stage, paving the way for trial runs.
The project is expected to improve pressure management, reduce losses and ensure equitable distribution of water across the city,” an official from the water supply department said. The officials said multiple rounds of meetings were held with citizens and local corporators to address concerns and persuade households to allow meter installations. Installation of water meters, considered a key component of the project, faced strong resistance from residents and housing societies in several parts of the city.