Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has warned of strict action against developers who fail to provide water to housing societies despite submitting written undertakings promising the same.Officials said that in several areas faced with inadequate municipal supply, builders had assured that they would arrange water for residents until the civic infrastructure became fully operational. However, complaints have surfaced that many developers have not honoured their commitment.On Friday, the issue was discussed at a meeting held at the divisional commissioner’s office in connection with an ongoing public interest litigation before the Bombay high court. Present for the meeting were officials from PCMC, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and PMRDA.PCMC officials said during the meeting that they were unable to give 100% of the promised supply in certain areas because of ongoing projects like the Bhama Askhed scheme — expected to add 167 MLD to the current water supply. At present, the civic body supplies water on alternate days from Pavana dam (530 MLD) and Andra dam (100 MLD) with MIDC providing 30 MLD.Officials said it is mandatory for developers to give written undertakings assuring water supply at their own cost until municipal systems are functional before the civic bodies grant completion or possession certificates.A senior PCMC official said the divisional commissioner has directed authorities to take strict action against developers who fail to comply with the undertakings or pass on the financial burden to residents, who are forced to rely on private water tankers. Additionally, the civic body has been directed to publish all relevant no-objection certificates and undertakings on its official websites to enable residents to verify such commitments.PCMC commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi said, “Such developers are legally bound to fulfill their commitments. Any failure or denial in this regard will be treated as a violation and we will initiate strict legal action on complaints by residents. The developers’ responsibility shall continue till the Bhama Askhed scheme is fully commissioned and operational.”However, while most residents have welcomed the civic body’s intervention, several have criticised the placing of responsibility on the builders.President of the Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Societies Federation Dattatray Deshmukh said supplying water is the municipal corporation’s responsibility. “The civic body collects water tax, so it must ensure the supply. It is unfair to make residents depend on private entities for such a basic necessity.”He said permissions should not be granted to new projects without adequate water arrangements. “If the civic body itself admits they do not have sufficient water, they should clarify how the developers will arrange it,” Deshmukh said, adding that several older housing societies continue to face water shortages. He asked who should they approach for relief.Ravet resident Rahul Shinde said, “It looks like PCMC’s attempt to clear more residential projects despite inadequate water supply. If this continues, more residents will suffer. The civic body will have to take responsibility. The housing society I stay in depends on water tankers every summer and spends lakhs of rupees on it. Neither the builder nor the municipal corporation bears the cost.”
