Pune: Residents on Wednesday flagged persistent air pockets in underground pipelines as a major concern ahead of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) planned alternate-day water supply from next week.The doubts persisted despite PMC clarification that, over the past year, air valves and booster pumps were installed at several points across the network to reduce air buildup in pipelines, a common problem disrupting water flow after a daylong shutdown.According to the residents, the problem isn’t just disruption, but the agonising delay in recovery. “It typically takes two days for the water flow to stabilise. In several neighbourhoods, the wait stretches to three days or even longer. For many, the tap doesn’t just run dry during the cut, it stays unreliable well beyond it,” a Dhayari resident said.In Kharadi, a former corporator said large parts of the area sat at the tail end of the distribution network, making them especially vulnerable. “After a shutdown, water doesn’t reach immediately and takes at least 12 hours. And even then, the flow is inconsistent. PMC often blames air blocks in pipelines, but for residents, the struggle repeats every single time,” he said.In Katraj and the Katraj-Kondhwa belt, the steep gradients and uneven elevation make it difficult for pipelines to maintain steady pressure. While air valves have been installed in these areas too, the residents said the promised improvements had yet to materialise. “The system is already under strain. If PMC goes ahead with alternate-day water supply, the slow restoration process will make things worse,” a resident warned, fearing a cascading effect of shortages and delays.Civic officials, however, insisted that steps were being taken. “Over 200 additional air valves have been installed across Pune in the last couple of years, specifically to tackle air blockages that choke pipelines during shutdowns. Booster pumps, too, have been deployed to maintain consistent water flow,” a water supply department official said.“These measures are designed to keep the system stable and ensure faster restoration. With upcoming water cuts, our teams will be actively monitoring supply lines and clearing obstacles on the ground,” the official said.Sources within PMC said a detailed alternate-day water supply plan, along with zone-wise schedules, was expected to be rolled out soon, possibly by Friday. They said officials were working on a granular timetable for each zone, factoring in local challenges like terrain, pipeline conditions and demand patterns. “Areas already accustomed to alternate-day supply are unlikely to face additional cuts,” a source said.
