PCMC seizes 23 illegal motor pumps in Pimple Nilakh, Thergaon; five squads to check water theft

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has seized 23 motor pumps from Pimple Nilakh and Thergaon. The pumps were being attached directly to tap connections to pull extra water. The figure is dated October 29, 2026. The drive was carried out by the civic water supply department.

The action has not settled matters. Residents allege that some people got their seized pumps back by taking them, and that others have simply installed fresh ones and started drawing water again. This has raised doubts about how the corporation will re-check areas where it has already acted, and whether confiscation alone can end the practice.

To tackle water theft and wastage, the civic body has announced five special squads. The administration says they have been appointed to inspect cases of water being drawn with illegal electric pumps. Each squad has six members: a junior engineer from the water supply department, a corporation assistant, a health inspector, a Maharashtra Security Force jawan, a plumber or meter inspector, and a labourer. The squads will check different parts of the city during the morning and evening supply hours, in two sessions.

PCMC Executive Engineer Mahesh Baride said, "To stop wastage of water, five squads will be deployed in two different sessions. If water is being wasted anywhere or anyone is doing such things, citizens should complain to the corporation. Action will be taken against those concerned."

The reason for the crackdown is the effect on neighbours. A motor pump fitted to a water connection lowers the pressure in the pipeline, so other households on the line receive less than their share. Complaints about this have been rising, and the corporation says that is why it decided to form the squads.

Many questions remain open. The date from which the squads will begin work has not been announced. The administration has also not said which sensitive areas will be inspected first, or how fast the water supply department will respond once a complaint is lodged. With no firm schedule or response deadline, residents doubt that the measures will be properly implemented and fear they may stay on paper.

The administration has repeatedly urged residents to report those who waste water or use illegal pumps. Many residents say they are willing to put neighbourly ties aside and complain in the public interest. They fear, however, that if the corporation does not act quickly, the identity of complainants could be exposed, which would also damage trust in the civic body. Residents want complaints to be acted on within a fixed period of 24 to 48 hours.

They also say that seizing pumps will not bring a lasting solution. Those whose pumps are taken can pay a fine and collect them, or buy new ones and reconnect. Residents therefore want stricter steps against repeat offenders, including fines, cases being filed, and permanent disconnection of the tap connection. They demand surprise inspections during supply hours and say the water supply department should put the five squads on the ground without delay, rather than just announcing them, and act effectively against illegal drawing across the city, including Pimple Nilakh and Thergaon.

Residents suggest that a surprise check would show the impact of illegal pumps. They want pressure measured with the motor pumps switched on and then off. No comparison of water pressure at the first and last houses of a single lane is available so far. They also want leakages, valve management and obstructions in the distribution network examined.

The problem goes beyond individual homes. Housing societies in Wakad, Pimple Saudagar, Tathawade, Thergaon and Punawale are complaining of water shortage. A federation of housing societies has handed the civic body a list of 36 societies facing shortages, and has demanded an inquiry to assess supply levels and distribution problems. Along with its appeal to save water, the corporation needs to review how much water these societies actually need, how much they receive, and what is blocking distribution.