Daily tanker requirements are already increasing in various areas
We currently pay an average of Rs900 per tanker, but have been told that rates could rise to Rs1,500,” he said. Because operators cannot find enough water, “A household that earlier required around two tankers daily is now managing with one or one-and-a-half. A detailed plan should be announced now rather than waiting for the crisis to worsen.
Sushant Lonkar, a leading tanker operator serving Kondhwa and Mohammadwadi, said groundwater levels have started dropping far earlier than usual. If the trend continues, ensuring adequate water supply to housing societies in the months ahead will become a major challenge,” he told TOI . Residents of housing societies in Undri and Pisoli, which lack Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) water connections, recently told TOI that their daily tanker requirements were already increasing. A tanker operator with five vehicles in Wagholi said a price hike is inevitable, though not immediate. Residents should also start conserving water,” he said. Sanjiv Patil, president of Wagholi Housing Society Association, said residents were already experiencing reduced supply. Corporators must also intervene and help residents instead of merely making promises and complaining about lack of funds,” said Arvind Shole, a resident of Undri.
“Traditionally, borewell levels decline around March or April. This year, we’re seeing depletion much sooner. Tanker operators depend on multiple privately owned borewells, many of which are already showing signs of stress. With summer next, they fear further shortages and higher charges. A tanker currently costs between Rs700 and Rs800 in these areas. “We cannot continue absorbing additional costs. One option is for PMC to allow private tankers to draw water from its facilities, as the number of civic tankers is far lower than ours. Several operators have warned societies about a possible price hike. Calls and WhatsApp messages by TOI to PMC water supply head Nandkishor Jagtap seeking comment went unanswered. Residents urged the civic body to announce an emergency plan for areas without municipal water connections. “PMC needs to step in and provide relief to residents.
Rates had already been increased earlier this year after police directed operators to install CCTV cameras in their vehicles.