PIL to solve water supply issue at Sus, Mhalunge

Corporator Amol Balwadkar on behalf of members of housing societies located in Sus and Mhalunge villages has filed PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking solution to their water problems

Pune Local corporator Amol Balwadkar on behalf of members of housing societies located in Sus and Mhalunge villages has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court seeking solution to their water problems.

Corporator Amol Balwadkar on behalf of members of housing societies located in Sus and Mhalunge villages has filed PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking solution to their water problems. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION))

Under the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) jurisdiction, the two villages, and 21 others, merged with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in July 2021. Yet, PMRDA is still giving permission for new constructions in these villages without making any plans or provision for water supply to occupants of residential buildings.

Balwadkar said PMRDA and PMC have failed to address the water issues of Sus and Mhalunge residents.

“The two authorities have not undertaken any plan of action to tackle this serious problem. They have not even come forward to clearly state whose responsibility is it to supply water to the residents. To fix the responsibility and seek solution for the residents of Sus and Mhalunge, I have filed the PIL,” he said. According to advocate Satya Muley, who filed PIL on behalf of Balwadkar, PMRDA and PMC have implemented a method of taking affidavit or undertaking from builders stating that the latter will be responsible for supplying water to newly constructed buildings.

“Without this undertaking (water affidavit), PMRDA does not give commencement certificate for new constructions. This is an illegal act, as the supply of water is a fundamental duty of PMRDA and PMC as per the Constitution of India and they cannot pass it on to a builder,” Muley said.