CIDCO fits GPS on all 34 water tankers, puts CCTV at 11 filling stations

Amid persistent water scarcity, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has stepped up monitoring of water distribution in its nodes. The aim is to ensure everyone gets a fair share of water and that it is not misused. Under the guidance of CIDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Ashwin Mudgal, the authority has begun a series of review meetings to resolve supply-related problems and tighten accountability.

As part of these measures, GPS tracking systems have been installed in all 34 tankers that supply water. This will allow the route each tanker takes and the exact places where it delivers water to be monitored. To keep an accurate record of how much water is distributed each day, all 11 major tanker-filling centres have also been brought under CCTV surveillance. Both the tankers' journeys and the filling points will now be watched.

CIDCO is currently developing a separate portal to monitor water supply. It will include GPS tracking and an OTP-based access system. Until the portal goes live, daily water distribution data is being updated through Google Sheets.

To address the water shortage in Kalamboli, CIDCO is coordinating with the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP). CIDCO has also raised the issue of regular and adequate water supply with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

CIDCO has banned the use of tanker water for construction and development work. Housing societies have also been warned not to use tanker water in swimming pools. If such misuse is found, the society's water supply will be cut off immediately.

CIDCO's vigilance department is investigating earlier complaints of irregularities in water distribution. If violations are established, those responsible will be fined and strict action will follow. CIDCO has appealed to citizens and housing societies to cooperate with the administration in saving water and using it properly during the current shortage.