PUNE: It is possible that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) does not know how much water is lifted through the seven tanker filling points located in the city.

A Right to Information Act (RTI) query filed by the Sajag Nagarik Manch, a citizens' group, revealed that meters at four out of the seven filling points are not working, thereby leaving no record as to how much water is being drawn.

The seven tanker filling points are located at Wadgaonsheri, Parvati, Chatushrungi, Yerawada, Ramtekdi, Padmavati and Patwardhanbaug. The ones at Wadgaonsheri, Ramtekdi and Patwardhanbaug water works are functioning properly.

"If there is no proper system to check how much water is lifted, there is a possibility of large-scale misuse. Immediate action is needed to install water meters at these points," said Vivek Velankar, founder of the Sajag Nagarik Manch on Monday.

"The civic administration urges people to make use of water meters at their houses. But the administration is not following its own advise," said Vishwas Sahastrabuddhe, another activist of the group. "Tankers are in demand since March 1, 2012, when the civic body enforced 10% water cuts in the city citing less availability of water in the four dams that supply water to the city. There is ample scope for misuse of water from tankers. In such a situation, installation of meters assumes more significance," he said.

Sahastrabuddhe said that last year too their group had demanded action in this matter but nothing was done. So, the group checked the status of meters on Monday again and found that the system is still not functioning efficiently.

The civic body had fixed charges for water tankers following allegations that citizens were charged exorbitantly. Tankers are operated by the civic body and private operators. The civic body hires tankers every summer through a tender system. Many city-based politicians are involved in the business of supplying water through tankers.

V G Kulkarni, head of PMC's water department, said the meters have developed a technical snag. "There were some issues related to electricity supply lines at the tanker filling points. So the meters that were installed got damaged. The water department has restarted the work to repair supply lines, following which meters will be installed again. The work is expected to be complete in a fortnight."

Status of meters at tanker points

Point Status

Parvati Not working

Chatushringi Not working

Yerawada Not working

Padmavati Not Working

Patwardhanbaug Working

Vadgaonsheri Working

Ramtekdi Working