Water-scarce PMC fixes tanker rates

With the water scarcity looming large in the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has fixed the tanker water rates. The civic administration has also warned of stringent action against errant tanker owners.

PMC superintending engineer (water supply) VG Kulkarni said, “Citizens have been buying tanker water after the water cuts were implemented from March 1. However, it has been noticed in the past that the water tanker lobby fleece people by charging exorbitant rates. Hence, citizens should buy tanker water only at the rates fixed by the PMC.”

The PMC has decided to charge Rs300 from tanker owners for up to 10,000 litres water. It would charge Rs400 for 10,000 to 15,000 litres of water. The rates for water more than 15,000 litres will be Rs600.

As per the rates fixed by the civic body, the tanker owners are allowed to charge Rs600 for water up to 10,000 litres from citizens. They are allowed to charge a maximum of Rs700 for 10,000 to 15,000 litres. For more than 15,000 litres of water, citizens will have to pay Rs800.

Kulkarni said that special helplines have been opened for receiving complaints from citizens.

According to the civic officials, if a tanker owner is found selling water at rates more than the ones fixed by the civic body, he will face action like requisitioning the tanker or not allowing the tanker to transport water.