Pune: Automobile washing and detailing centres across the city stood divided on Pune Municipal Corporation’s restrictions on vehicle washing amid a water crisis, with some saying they would continue services using private water sources while others planned to comply fully with the order.A senior representative of The Detailing Guys on NIBM Link Road said the establishment would adhere to the civic body’s directions but expressed concern over the impact on businesses. “We will follow the PMC’s directives. This is, however, a worrisome situation and there has to be some solution,” the representative said.Several operators, however, said the restrictions would not affect them as they did not depend on PMC water. A representative of Rapid Wash 360 in Mohammadwadi said the centre used borewell water and planned to continue operations. “We don’t use corporation water for washing vehicles. We have our own borewell. There will be a rush on Tuesday due to Dasara and services will continue,” he said.Echoing a similar view, Nitin Balwarkar, owner of Blue Shine Washing Centre and Detailing near Undri Chowk, said the area did not receive PMC water supply. “I have a well from where I use the water. The service will be there on Tuesday for customers,” he said.A vehicle washing centre in Dhayari witnessed heavy demand on Monday, with workers expecting a surge on Dasara. “We just can’t turn away customers. PMC needs to find a middle path, else many workers will lose jobs,” a representative said.Not all centres shared that stance. A representative of a vehicle-washing facility in Hadapsar said services would remain suspended to avoid any potential action by authorities. “If PMC has said so, we cannot provide the service. If someone reports us operating, we could face trouble,” he said.The operator said while vehicle washing might be restricted, services like polishing could continue, and limited water use through buckets instead of hoses could help reduce wastage.Shreenath High Pressure Washing Centre in Hadapsar said it would function as usual. “We will be operating as per our regular timings from the morning,” a representative said.
