Kharadi residents stage hunger strike over water crisis

Residents of several housing societies in Kharadi staged a chain fast protest near the Pune Municipal Corporation water tank on DP Farms Road to highlight persistent water shortage and the growing dependence on private water tankers. The protest was organized by the Kharadi Housing Societies Welfare Association (KHSWA). They demanded immediate steps to improve PMC water supply and pressed for reimbursement or adjustment of private tanker expenses, a refund of the water tax component during periods of inadequate supply, accountability for officials responsible for the crisis, and public disclosure of sanctioned water allocation, actual water supplied, pending infrastructure works, and project timelines. The association called for the formation of a joint coordination committee comprising PMC officials and representatives of affected housing societies. PMC water department chief Nandkishore Jagtap said PMC is trying its best to provide water and that inadequate infrastructure is contributing to the problem. MLA Bapusaheb Pathare and local leaders Surendra Pathare and Shailyjeet Bansode visited the protest site in support. The fast ended after PMC officials gave written assurances regarding measures to improve supply, with residents expressing hope for improvements in the coming days.