PMC helpline for water suppy issues refuses to aid citizens

Pune: Considering the water shortage in all four dams, the Pune Municipal Corporation announced water cuts on Thursday and the authorities want Puneites to save water but if any citizen wants to complain to the PMC about the water leakage, the helpline refuses to help.

The helpline started by the Pune Municipal corporation, where citizens can complain about any water related problems including no water supply, water leakage, low pressure water supply, misuse of water, illegal water connection and supply of contaminated water. However, when the city is facing acute shortage of water and every drop needs to be saved, the helpline number where citizens can complain about any leakage, is not working. Team dna tried calling on the helpline on Friday but even after trying for the entire day, the call could not be connected.
The activists have slammed the civic administration for not keeping the helpline in working condition when it is needed the most. Vivek Velankar, president of Sajag Nagarik Manch said, “The helpline started by PMC for water complaints is nothing but a farce. Few years back, when the city was facing similar water crisis, we had carried out surveys of various areas and given list of water leakages but the administration failed to act on the complaints.”

The helpline proved to be quite helpful as last year it has received total 477 complaints of which 112 complaints were of water leakages. Now since civic administration is appealing citizens to save water and report any wastage of water, such complaints are likely to increase but so far the helpline has remained unresponsive. When contacted Nandkishor Jagtap, executive engineer of water department in PMC regarding unresponsive helpline number he said, Not many people call on the helpline number so we are not aware if it is working or not. I will check the problem with the helpline.”