A drinking-water pipeline leak near the Panchvati main entrance junction on Pune’s Pashan Road has created a large pool outside the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) gate, with residents reporting slippery conditions, traffic disruption and two-wheeler accidents. The leak has reportedly continued for several days, sending water towards the main entrance of NCL Innovation Park.
According to a report by Sakal – Pune, the water has collected across an area of about 500 square feet on the road. Continuous flow has led to moss accumulating on the surface, making the stretch slippery for vehicles and pedestrians. Residents said two-wheelers have been skidding on the affected section and that pedestrians, students and motorists are regularly being splashed by passing vehicles.
The affected pipeline carries drinking water and lies beneath the pedestrian pathway near the Panchvati entrance junction. Residents have submitted a representation to the deputy engineer of the Chaturshringi water-supply department, seeking immediate action to stop the loss of treated water and address the road-safety risk.
Residents have warned of an agitation if the leak is not stopped within 48 hours. The demand comes as Pune’s administration continues to appeal to citizens to use water carefully and plan for possible supply restrictions. Mohini Sapkal, a resident quoted by Sakal, said thousands of litres of treated drinking water had been wasted on the main road for several days while the administration appeared to ignore the problem.
The water-supply department said the pipeline is several years old. A separate water tank has now been built for the Panchvati area, but NCL had continued to receive approximately five lakh litres of water every day through the old pipeline. A new pipeline has been laid in the area, and testing work is currently under way.
Anup Gajawar, junior engineer with the Chaturshringi water-supply department, said the testing work on the new pipeline was in progress. The department’s explanation links the current leak to the transition from the old supply line to the new network, although the report does not state when the leakage itself will be fully stopped.
The incident highlights the immediate consequences of ageing water infrastructure in a rapidly used urban corridor. A failure beneath a pedestrian route has affected not only water supply but also road safety, access to institutional gates and day-to-day movement along Pashan Road. The next stated milestone is completion of testing on the new pipeline, after which the department is expected to address the leak and shift supply away from the old line.
