Pune's OTP tanker system still not in place six months after announcement; tender after poll code

Pune, October 22, 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had announced an OTP-based tanker management system to curb fake tanker trips, water theft and the risk of people being overcharged. Six months on, the system has still not been put in place.

The administration has now said the tender for the system will be floated after the model code of conduct ends. Because of the delay, people who depend on private water tankers are still waiting for an arrangement that is clean and fixes accountability. The fear of water shortage in the coming days has added to the concern.

The system was being introduced to bring transparency to tanker water supply. It was also meant to stop operators from logging a trip without delivering water, and to rein in irregularities. However, the Sajag Nagrik Manch claims that, except in the Sus and Mahalunge areas, it has not yet been implemented in most parts of the city.

Activist Vivek Velankar questioned the delay. He said six months had passed since the system was announced and it had still not been started across the city.

Under the proposed arrangement, people will be able to book a tanker through a mobile app. The movement of each tanker will be tracked from the filling station to the delivery point. After the water arrives, a one-time password (OTP) will be sent to people's mobile phones to confirm the delivery.

It is expected that tracking bookings, tanker movement and deliveries digitally will stop entries for fake trips, and will also curb the theft or diversion of tanker water.

If water cuts are imposed in the coming months, demand for tankers could rise. With no monitoring system in place, there is a fear that people may have to pay more for water. Velankar has demanded that the system be implemented across the city without further delay.

Nandkishor Jagtap, head of the PMC's water supply department, admitted that the system has not yet started. He said that once the model code of conduct ends, the corporation will begin the tender process and try to implement it as soon as possible.

According to Jagtap, the system will work along the lines of ride-hailing platforms such as Ola and Uber. People will be able to book tankers digitally and see the tanker's location until the water arrives. He said that confirming delivery through the OTP will stop water theft and fake records.