Water Tanker Services, A Threat to Pune?

   - by Aryan  

Recently, I have come across several news stories about water tankers in Pune. Reading them, I have not only realized some shocking facts but also found myself relating to a few. I agree that this is indeed a matter of concern. And I believe most of you would feel the same if you haven't already come across these issues.

The first and foremost issue is water leakage from moving tankers. I have personally witnessed that most (if not all) water tankers spill water onto the road while moving from one place to another. This happens due to faulty taps or lids, which the service providers probably don’t even bother to fix.

Check out this news piece published by the Pune Mirror: PMC Sets Deadline to Ensure Safe Water Tanker Operations, Aims to Reduce Road Accidents.

It clearly states that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) issued notices to service providers, giving them a deadline to fix their tankers before January 15, 2025. The administration acknowledges that water spillage from moving tankers is a serious issue, as it can lead to road accidents due to slippery surfaces caused by the leakage.

However, the January 15 deadline has long passed, yet I see no significant impact. In fact, I see no change at all. Every other water tanker on the road still has leaks, and water continues to spill.

What’s worse is that I couldn't find any follow-up reports from news websites about the action taken by the administration against tanker service providers violating this directive. Setting deadlines is good, but what’s the point if there’s no enforcement?

The only mention in the news was that individuals or entities failing to make necessary repairs to their tankers would be solely responsible for any accidents caused. But does this mean the administration is waiting for accidents to happen before taking action? I personally find this ridiculous.

And trust me, I have seen firsthand how dangerous this water spillage from moving tankers can be. I was once on the highway when I saw a woman fall from her scooter after it slipped on water spilled by a tanker just a few vehicles ahead of her. Fortunately, the vehicles behind her stopped in time—otherwise, the consequences could have been extreme. Let me remind you, this was on a highway.

The tanker driver didn’t even stop. I wonder if he even realized that his negligence had caused an accident. But why would they care? In the end, it's all about business and making money.

Another major threat these tankers pose is supplying contaminated water. This issue came to light following the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Pune, which led to the testing of water samples from 15 private water tanker service providers. The tests revealed the presence of bacteria in them.

Here are two news reports you should check out:

1. GBS Outbreak in Pune: Private Water Tanker Services Found to be Supplying Contaminated Water in the City

2. PMC Begins Colour Coding for Tankers Amid Water Quality Concerns

The reports mention that the administration does not have data on the number of private water tanker service providers operating in the city. I find this deeply concerning, as many of these service providers might prioritize profits over public health—especially when a serious disease like GBS is spreading.

For those who don’t know, GBS is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves, and contaminated water is one of the mediums for its spread. At the time I wrote this blog, Pune had recorded over 200 GBS cases, with eight deaths reported. These numbers alone highlight the severity of the issue.

Now, if the administration itself does not even have data on how many private water tanker service providers are operating in the city, how will it monitor and regulate them? How will it ensure safety?

In fact, another shocking incident was recently reported—where a housing society lodged a complaint with PMC, claiming that a private tanker had supplied them with water from a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) instead of potable drinking water. Just reading about this is disgusting, isn't it?

However, the news also mentioned that the administration is now planning the strict implementation of color coding for water tankers—differentiating those carrying potable water from those transporting STP water. But considering the lack of enforcement in the case of water leakage, we can’t expect stringent action in this matter either.

The report further mentioned that, according to civic data, around 25,000 water tanker trips take place in the city daily, on an average. This number is alarming as it highlights the high demand for these services—and, consequently, the increased risks associated with them. There is clearly a lot of room for exploitation by greedy contractors.

Beyond the news reports, I want to highlight yet another issue these tankers cause in the city. Almost every day, I see at least one water tanker being driven on the wrong side of the road. This likely happens because they need to enter different lanes branching off from main roads to reach their delivery locations. To save fuel and time, they drive on the wrong side instead of taking a proper U-turn.

And I’m sure that if anyone confronted them, they’d be ready to argue or even fight back. This is the reality in Pune. Many people don’t even realize the risks they are causing to others. I don’t know about other cities, but this is what I have personally witnessed here.

I strongly believe that effective law enforcement and large-scale public awareness are key to bringing about real change in this matter.