“The Bombay High Court took note of the information and directed that the said committee be reconstituted separately for the PMC and the PCMC and such committees shall attend to the complaints of the residents regarding water scarcity. The PMRDA has been directed to address the water problems faced by the residents coming under their jurisdiction,” said Satya Muley, lawyer representing 11 associations of residential societies.

He said the division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice S V Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep Marne heard the petitioners on April 10 on the water crisis in Pune districts.

According to the court’s direction, the committees would consist of the municipal commissioners, divisional commissioners, chief city engineers and member secretaries of the District Legal Services Authority. The committee is to consist of people who are actually involved in the redressal of the water problem faced by the residents of the affected areas.

Muley said he pointed out to the court that the same subject was dealt by the High Court in 2016 when the suburban areas of Baner and Balewadi faced severe water problems and at that time, the High Court had imposed a stay on granting permissions for new constructions in the Pune Municipal Corporation area.

It was pointed out that in the current scenario, several housing societies across Pune district are facing severe water shortages and have spent huge amounts to purchase water from private tanker operators, he said, adding if the committees fail to address the concerns of the residents then the court can be approached for further justice.

On November 29 and December 15 last year, the Bombay High court had expressed serious concerns about the issue and had also warned of fines on the respondents for their slow response.