PMC snaps 739 water connections in 3 months

PUNE: The civic body has disconnected 739 illegal water connections since February in residential and commercial properties across the city.
“The action has been taken to stem the misuse of water. Notices were sent to those using illegal water connections. The civic administration had told them to cut the connections themselves but when they did not act, civic officials took action. It will continue for some time,” Pravin Gedam, superintending engineer of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s water department, told reporters.
Civic officials said the state government in October 2015 had told all civic bodies to survey illegal water connections and chalk out a time-bound programme to deal with them. A government resolution (GR) was also issued.
The GR had stated that illegal water connections have been was raised in the state assembly sessions. “Illegal water connections are proving to be an injustice to people who take legal connections,” the GR said.
It also stated that civic bodies are losing out on revenue as they do not get water charges from these illegal connections and they should take firm action.
Data available with the Pune Municipal Corporation revealed that the city has 1.60 lakh legal water connections but illegal water connections were about two lakh.“The number of legal connections is less because most are provided to housing societies. In contrast, most illegal connections are at individual’s houses. They include connections in the Peth areas and slums. Some housing societies in upmarket areas too have illegal connections. Most have support of political leaders,” a senior official of the PMC said.