There are no numbers to evaluate the gravity of the situation, but the water tankers running across the city are a cause for concern as the water they spill has been endangering other vehicles, especially two-wheelers.

Many accidents later, the civic administration has now decided to come up with guidelines on how water tankers can ply, with a February 15 deadline to enforce strict compliance. It is a known secret that most private tankers in the city are operated by some municipal corporators.

“We are framing guidelines. Water tankers will be forced to ensure that there is no spilling of water on the city roads, failing which they will face action,” PMC development engineer (water supply), Pramod Nirbhavane said.

“The spill due to lids purposely kept open or leaks in the tankers have become one of the reasons for accidents on city roads. This inevitably leads to skidding of two-wheelers, sometimes seriously injuring to the rider,” he said.

The civic administration will also install water meters at refilling stations to avoid excess supply to tankers then their payment.

“Tanker operators will be issued refill coupons and water will be supplied based on the amount paid,” Nirbhavane said.

DCP (Traffic) Manoj Patil conceded that the spill from tankers is one of the reasons for accidents on city roads. “We have started penalising water tanker operators whose vehicles leak. The PMC has also been asked to shift their refilling centres out of the city limits,” he said.

Social activist Prashant Inamdar said it was the negligence of water tanker operators that accidents were on the rise, and it was a cause of concern that no action has been initiated against them till now.

“The water spilled from tankers mix with the oil on the roads, leading to slippery conditions where two-wheelers slip and have accidents.”

“The water tanker lobby seems to be under the impression that no action will be taken against them. More than merely framing rules and guidelines, action should be taken against errant operators,” Inamdar said.

The PMC has also set up a squad that would check the quality of water across the city, based on complaints. “The squad will reach the location of a complaint and take samples of water. The quality of water will be tested and steps will be initiated accordingly,” Nirbhavane said.