Pune, June 30: With water supply badly hit because of delayed monsoons, the parched city is praying for rain, or even a water tanker. But this time around, even the water tankers, particularly those operated by private ones are being scarcely seen, even though people are ready to pay more.
The reason, many tanker operators say, is that Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has restricted tankers from getting water from their refilling stations, as water availability is poor. However, private water tankers having access to borewells are making a killing.
“Supply from Khadakwasla dam has been reduced by the irrigation department. The civic administration has not stopped supplying water to private tankers, but there is not enough water to spare,” PMC development engineer (Water Supply Department), Pramod Nirbhavane, said.
He said there is no policy decision on not supplying water to private tankers and in case of an emergency they are still given water.
The PMC provides water at Rs 300 per tanker of 10,000 litre capacity. When pointed out that the water tankers are making good business by selling water at almost 4 to 5 times the cost at which they get it from PMC, Nirbhavane said, “It is difficult to keep a check on tankers supplying water at higher rates. Our responsibility is in making water available whenever possible.”
Around 400 tankers used to be given water at PMC refilling centers. Now the number has gone down to around 40 tankers. Water tankers of PMC are given priority over others, private tanker operators say.
–Agencies