The PMC's decision comes in the wake of the worst water crisis the city is facing in four decades. The move is part of the civic body's long- and short-term strategies to tackle the problem.

"We have a well-planned draft for traffic and roads, but not for construction activities. Henceforth, we will make it compulsory for builders and developers to submit a simultaneous water use plan along with the building permission application. Construction will be allowed only if the developer has a concrete plan for use of water," municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade told TOI on Tuesday.

The PMC is also rethinking the policy of conditional permission to developers/builders who promise to make drinking water available once construction is complete and then pass the responsibility on to the civic body.

Zagade said the city should have a uniform water supply policy and every area should receive water with the same pressure.