Dinesh Kamath's news 'Water pilferage is become a major issue in city' that was published in Newsband

Water pilferage is become a major issue in city

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: The residents in Cidco and NMMC areas seem to be unhappy owing to the water shortage and leakages. There have been incidents relating to water pilferages through illegal taps. Also the residents feel harassed by the water cuts.

Just recently Cidco did care to take action by removing the illegal water tap connected to the main pipeline in sector 5, Kharghar. But there appears to be such water thefts taking place in several places in Kharghar.

The incidents relating to water pilferages has become such a serious issue that Municipal Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare had to think about floating an amnesty scheme in the city for illegal water connections. He also promised to carry out a water audit in Navi Mumbai. He made this promise after many corporators raised their voices against illegal connections, leakages and thefts and even threatened to file a PIL in the court.

Many villages which have legal connections are not getting regular water supply due to these irregularities. Wastage of water takes place mainly owing to the negligence of civic officials.

It is not known as to why the city faces water problem when there is a dam right inside Navi Mumbai. The residents feel harassed by continuous water cuts they have to face. A demand was made to the civic body to deploy flying squads to curb illegal water connections or thefts. Municipal Commissioner seemed to have liked this idea.

Another problem that the city faces is related to slums which are coming up simply because the dwellers over there are provided water by the villagers and power by MSEB. There has been a clash between Cidco and MSEB authorities over this. Cidco holds MSEB responsible for slum dwellers encroaching on their plots. Cidco has even threatened to demolish these shanties which create problem to them. In fact Cidco even implemented their threat but the shanties made their appearances again in a matter of few days.

According to a city resident if NMMC supplies water to all the residents there will not arise a situation where illegal means will be used to procure water.