Relief runs deep as PMC water reaches NIBM Road Annexe society after 8-year wait

Pune: Wednesday afternoon marked a quiet victory for residents of Ganga Florentina housing society on NIBM Road Annexe. After eight years of delays and repeated follow-ups, water finally flowed through the society’s pipelines, bringing relief, vindication and joy.As the first gush of water made its way from the overhead tanks nearly 600 meters away, a wave of emotion swept through the society. Residents spilled out of their homes, some laughing, some emotional, all united in celebration. The air echoed with chants of “Aa gaya, aa gaya, aa gaya (it has come, it has come)” followed by a jubilant “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, marking the end of prolonged wait.“This isn’t just water, it’s the end of an eight-year battle,” resident Vijay Dalvi, his voice brimming with emotion, said. “I moved here eight years ago, and from day one, we were fighting for something as basic as water. We knocked on every door, including PMC officials, corporators and even ministers. We built citizens’ groups. We refused to give up,” he said.The struggle had come at a steep price. “With no reliable supply, we were forced to take matters into their own hands, setting up a water softening plant that drained nearly Rs 3 lakh every month. Water tankers became a lifeline, with 1,000 residents depending on about 60 tankers monthly, costing another Rs 1 lakh just for drinking water,” Dalvi said.The society now stands among the first in the area to be connected to the new overhead tank system. Yet, beneath the celebration, there remains cautious optimism. The residents have been told that over the next three days, the pipelines would be flushed and cleaned, with potable water expected within a week. Lab testing was under way, with authorities assuring that supply would stabilise within a month, the residents said.“But there’s still uncertainty. No one has confirmed whether we’ll get water 24x7. For now, we’re celebrating, but we’re also waiting,” another resident said.