FIR against housing society for puncturing water tunnel

The BMC has lodged an FIR against a housing society in Jogeshwari after the society illegally dug deeper in an existing bore well, puncturing a hole in a BMC water tunnel that lay underground. The housing society has been charged with damage to public property and theft of water. A pipeline running between Veravali to Adarsh Nagar to Yari road was punctured, leading to excessive loss of water. After residents of this area consistently complained of broken, insufficient water supply, BMC officials checked the surrounding areas for leakages. The officials noticed that despite complaints of shortage of water from the area, one particular housing society had unhindered water supply from a borewell in their compound.

Upon further enquiry it came to light that the housing society had an existing bore well of 170 meters that went dry. The society dug deeper for water and unknowingly punctured a water tunnel. They also began to use water from the tunnel.

When the issue was discussed in the BMC's general body meeting on Thursday, corporator Changez Multani, defended the residents claiming that they were unaware about the requisite permissions and also about the water tunnel. Meanwhile, several corporators from the Shiv Sena and the BJP demanded that the civic body take strict action against the residents for stealing water especially when the BMC is facing a water crisis.

Sanjay Mukherji, Additional municipal commissioner said, "We will not withdraw punitive action on the excuse that the housing society claims to be unaware of the law."