Bhayandar: Till last year, Jaya Salian, a tea stall owner in Bhayandar used to get quarterly water bills amounting less than Rs 1,000. However, despite being a regular payer, Salian was shocked to witness a sudden jump from Rs 900 to Rs 6,300 and finally an astronomical Rs 9,770 this month. Salian is not alone hundreds of hapless consumers have ended up with exorbitant bills due to average and faulty readings on which the water supply department of the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) largely relies upon.
“Despite the meter being in running condition, the readers seem to be playing mischief. I am running from pillar-to-post to get the rectifications done, but none of the officials seems to be cared,” laments Salian. Similar complaints have been reported from other areas in Mira Road. “There is a five-fold difference in residential and commercial water rates After realizing that water from residential meters was used for commercial purpose, a survey was conducted and subsequently revised bills were sent. There is no question of sending astronomical bills.” maintained a senior MBMC officer.