PMC moots agency for installation of water meters

The Pune Municipal Corporation’s efforts to tide over severe water shortage over the past few years by installing meters at every house to ensure sufficient and equitable supply have not gone down well with elected representatives. The civic administration has again proposed to appoint an agency for implementation of the project with the Union Government making it mandatory for civic bodies benefiting from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Mission (JNNURM) funds.

“The administration has been proposing that water meters be installed across the city to keep a check on use of drinking water. The elected representatives have been opposing it. The administration has to get the metering done if the civic body wants to get funds sanctioned under JNNURM,” said executive engineer Pramod Nirbhavane.

The elected representatives have been opposing the plan,claiming that the PMC should improve the water supply system by reducing leakages instead of checking use by citizens. The Union Government has set a norm of providing 24-hour water supply to all residents of the city under the JNNURM and installing meters for all consumers.

The cost of service should also be equal under the JNNURM.