Pune: Several housing societies in Pimpri Chinchwad have approached the civic body, demanding strict action against developers who have allegedly failed to provide water supply despite giving written undertakings to do so.Residents cited recent directives from the divisional commissioner, which warned of legal consequences for builders who fail to honor their commitments to provide water until the municipal network is established. The issue was raised during a recent ward-level meeting organised by the water supply department for A and K wards.The Chikhali-Moshi Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Societies Federation has demanded that developers immediately refund the money spent by residents on private water tankers since 2019. Federation president Sanjeevan Sangale noted that many builders submitted written assurances during the project approval stage, committing to supply water at their own expense.“These undertakings have largely been violated, placing a massive financial burden on residents. This is not just an administrative lapse, but a serious economic injustice,” Sangale said. He added that the civic body should register criminal cases against errant developers and deny them future construction permissions or completion certificates.The financial impact on residents has been severe. Vitthal Baral, a resident of Yashone Infinity Society in Punawale, revealed that his society spent nearly Rs28 lakh on tanker water in 2024 alone. “We received possession in 2024. Per the rules, the developer was supposed to provide water, but that hasn’t happened. In the last two years, we have spent close to Rs40 lakh. This is our hard-earned money, and the corporation should ensure the builder refunds it,” Baral said, noting that the society requires 20 to 25 tankers daily during the summer months.In response, a senior PCMC official stated that for all projects approved after 2019, it is mandatory for developers to submit an undertaking promising to provide water until the civic network is extended.“Following directions from the divisional commissioner last month, we are compiling a list of such developers. This list will be uploaded on the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) website within a month, allowing residents to check for non-compliance and report it,” the official added.The push for accountability follows a meeting convened by the divisional commissioner in compliance with high court directives regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by residents. The commissioner directed the PMC, PCMC, and PMRDA to initiate action against defaulting developers and publish their names online.Currently, the PCMC provides water on an alternate-day basis to its residents. Civic officials have clarified that they will not be in a position to provide a regular supply to these new housing societies until the Bhama Askhed water pipeline project is completed, which is expected by next year.
