PUNE: City-based Sajag Nagrik Manch (SNM) has demanded that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) should take immediate steps to stop use of drinking water for construction activities.

In a press statement, Vivek Velankar, president, SNM, has stated that the Pune municipal commissioner had recently spoke of water crisis. "We are informing the municipal commissioner about the use of drinking water for construction activities. The PMC had issued no objection certificates for many constructions after the developer had given in writing that they will not use drinking water in construction activities. However, many developers in the city are using PMC's drinking water for construction," said Velankar.

He added that the city has 10 centres for filling water tankers. "The timeline of the tankers can be seen at these centres. When citizens are not getting sufficient water, where does this water go? The PMC has no mechanism to check if the tankers which take water on nominal charges form the PMC provide the same to citizens or is used for construction activities," said Velankar.

Sanjay Arde, a citizen from Shaniwar Peth has alleged that the developer of the site 325/1 A Shantainagar in Shaniwar Peth has been given permission for development of the site after he has given a written assurance that construction will be carried out with the water available from bore on the site. "However, there is no bore on this site, and yet, the PMC has given permission for construction," alleged Arde.

"This is not a single case. There are many such instances in the city and municipal commissioner should look into the matter," demanded Velankar.