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