CIDCO TAKES ACTION AGAINST 3 CONTRACTORS FOR WATER THEFT

As the city reels under a severe water shortage, City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) has taken action against the tanker mafia that steals water from its Hetawane pipeline.

On Wednesday, connections of three tanker contractors were cancelled in Chirner area as they allegedly stole water from illegal connections from the pipeline.

According to Shrikant Gosavi, Cidco executive engineer (Hetawane), “Action has been taken to send a strong message to all that we will not tolerate such illegal acts. We have reports of more contractors indulging in such acts. Action will be taken against them too.”

“While residents in Kharghar and Kamothe are facing water shortage, some people are exploiting the situation and selling them stolen water,” said Gosavi.

The water theft has led to further shortage of water supply in the Cidco jurisdiction which is already facing water cuts. “In some cases, some Cidco officials are colluding with the contractors. They convert the half-inch pipeline connection given for drinking water supply to the contractors to 2-inch ones,” said a social worker, on condition of anonymity.

Residents, particularly of Kamothe and Kharghar, have led several protests against Cidco.

Ramesh Patil, a resident of Kamothe, said, “There is a lot of water in Hetawane, yet Cidco has implemented water cuts. On the other hand, the Hetawane Dam to Navi Mumbai pipeline has broken at several places leading to huge wastage.”

“In Sai-Kasarbhat area, direct connections have been given from the pipeline to brick kilns. They get 24-hour water supply,” said Patil. “Near Dighati, several people have taken connections from the pipeline and are growing vegetables in their fields.”

“Drinking water, which is in short supply, is being used for construction work, brick kilns, washing sand and farming,” said Prakash Khalat, a resident of Chirner.