Contaminated Water Leads to Health Crisis in Pune's Kothrud and Bavdhan
Pune, 8th October 2025: Residents of Right Bhusari Colony, Left Bhusari Colony, Indira Shankar Nagari, Ved Bhavan area, Saudamini, Mokate Nagar in Kothrud, and Bavdhan are grappling with severe health issues due to contaminated water. Since the water supply resumed after being disrupted during Dussehra, citizens have reported symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued an advisory, urging residents to boil drinking water for at least 20 minutes, let it cool, and take appropriate medication if required. Krunnal Gharre, a resident of Bavdhan, stated, “There has been a significant rise in cases of diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Over 50 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the Municipal Hospital.”
Local citizens have accused the PMC of negligence, particularly regarding muddy water complaints in Bhusari Colony. In response to these concerns, Health and Water Supply Department officials have inspected multiple locations in the affected areas and sent water samples for testing.
Political and community leaders, including Prashant Kanojia, state organizer of Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena, BJP’s Ganesh Varpe, NCP ward president Rajendra Ubhe, Shiv Sena Kothrud chief Minal Dhanwate, and AAP representatives, have called for immediate action. They demand a mobile clinic, water testing, and the supply of safe drinking water.
According to local residents, nearly 90% of households in the affected areas have reported symptoms over the last ten days. Nilesh Saundane, a resident, noted, “Municipal officials have collected water samples, but we have not received any instructions yet.” Bharat Patil, a resident of Maruti Heights, added, “Many citizens from Bavdhan and Ujwa Bhusari Colony have been admitted to hospitals. I am also experiencing cough, cold, and fever.”
Hospitals such as Sutar Hospital in Kothrud, Vedepatil Hospital in Bavdhan, Veer Savarkar Hospital in Ujwa Bhusari Colony, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Hall, Shantiban Society, are providing medicines to affected residents. Dr. Anjali Tilekar, Ward Medical Officer, Kothrud, confirmed, “Testing confirmed that the water is contaminated. Our team is inspecting water supply channels to identify the source.”
Dr. Vijay Tarte from Bharati Nagar, Kothrud, also confirmed that citizens were falling ill due to polluted water. “The number of patients has reduced slightly, but everyone has been advised to boil water before consumption,” he said.
