After decades of severe water scarcity, residents of Hadapsar may finally see relief as long-pending water supply schemes under the 24x7 equal water distribution project are set to become operational in April. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has given a written assurance confirming the timeline, raising hopes of making the area tanker-free.
For the past 30 to 40 years, localities such as Hadapsar Gaothan, Gadital, Satavwadi, Gondhalenagar, Akashvani, Laxmi Colony, Vitthal Nagar, Kale Borate Nagar and Sasanenagar have struggled with inadequate and irregular water supply. Despite repeated complaints, the issue remained unresolved, leaving residents reliant on water tankers.
Social activist Prashant Surse has been following up with PMC authorities for the past two years. He has submitted multiple representations and recently met with the PMC Commissioner, Naval Ram Kishore, to demand a clear written commitment. Surse had also warned of launching an indefinite hunger strike from March 30 if immediate action was not taken.
Following the complaints, the administration stepped in, and a joint meeting was held with local corporator Maruti Aaba Tupe. Officials from the water supply department, along with project representatives, conducted site visits and held detailed discussions. Based on this, a formal written assurance was issued regarding the execution of the projects.
According to the plan, a 35 lakh litre capacity water tank near Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple in Kale Borate Nagar will be operational between April 5 and 6. This project is expected to provide water to a large number of surrounding residential areas, significantly easing the burden on residents who have long struggled with shortages.
Further relief is expected with the commissioning of a 45 lakh litre capacity water tank at Hadapsar Bus Depot in Gadital between April 15 and 20. This will improve water supply in several key parts of Hadapsar, including the Gaothan area and nearby residential pockets. Once these two major projects are functional, the existing system at Tukai Tekdi will also begin supplying water with better pressure to additional areas such as Satavwadi, Gondhalenagar and nearby localities.
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At the same time, work on two incomplete water tanks of 35 lakh litre capacity each in Anand Nagar, near Serum Company, has been reassigned to a new contractor, M/s Krushiraj. The administration has stated that this work is expected to be completed by February 2027, after which more areas, including Akashvani, Laxmi Colony and Vitthal Nagar, will benefit from improved water supply.
Speaking about the development, Surse said that this movement has always been about securing basic rights for the residents of Hadapsar. He pointed out that it is unfortunate that people have been deprived of a regular water supply for years despite paying taxes. He also warned that if the administration fails to start the projects in April as promised, the agitation will resume from May.
Pallavi Surse, President of Swabhimani Mahila Sanstha, highlighted the human impact of the crisis, stating that women and senior citizens have suffered the most due to water shortages. She noted that many women are forced to wake up as early as 4am every day just to collect water. She expressed hope that once the schemes are implemented, they will not only solve the water problem but also restore dignity and improve the quality of life for thousands of residents.
