Government Institutions in Pune Warned of Water Supply Cut Over Unpaid Bills, Deadline Set

Sumit Singh

Pune, 26th December 2023: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to implement stringent measures to address the outstanding water bills owed by government institutions. Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar has issued an order to cut water supply to these institutions if the overdue amount is not settled by January 31.

Government entities such as Pune and Khadki cantonment boards, railways, and various offices of both Central and State Governments receive water supply from the Municipal Corporation. Despite continuous efforts by the corporation to recover outstanding amounts, these departments have not responded. Consequently, a deadline of January 31 has been established for these institutions to receive a notice and settle their arrears. Vikram Kumar emphasized that if the outstanding amount remains unpaid despite the notice, their water supply will be discontinued.

In the previous year, the Municipal Corporation conducted a special campaign to recover arrears from government institutions. Pune Cantonment Board alone had outstanding dues of Rs. 40 crores. When the water supply to the cantonment board was halted last year, an immediate payment of Rs 2 crores was made. However, the remaining amount was not settled. Given the similar situation with other institutions, stricter actions will now be taken.

A plan has been devised to provide water to Devachi Uruli, Fursungi, and Mantarwadi through the Maharashtra Jaljeevan Authority. The Municipal Corporation has allocated funds for this initiative. Although the water channel, storage tank, and water station components of the scheme were completed, the primary channel across the railway line faced obstacles. Consequently, the work was halted. With the railway’s permission now obtained, the aqueduct work is nearing completion. Additionally, water will be sourced from the Mutha right canal for the Fursungi area, necessitating the release of water in the canal, resulting in water wastage. In light of this, water will be directly supplied to Fursungi from Cantonment water centre. The water channel work for this has been finished, and after installing pumps at the water center in the next month, water supply to Devachi Uruli, Fursungi, and Mantarwadi will commence through the canals.