MNS seeks water audit in Kalyan-Dombivli to stop wastage during shortage

Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation limits are facing a water shortage at present. Citizens are being asked to use water carefully. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has demanded that the administration take firm steps to stop the water that is being wasted.

Water cuts have been imposed in the municipal area because of the shortage. However, the MNS has pointed out that there are unauthorised tap connections at many places in the city, pipelines are leaking, and commercial users and establishments are drawing water without authorisation. It said a large quantity of water is being wasted as a result.

Harshad Harishchandra Patil, MNS Dombivli city president and former corporator, submitted a memorandum on the matter to the municipal commissioner. In it he asked for strict action against the wastage and for a water audit of the entire municipal area. He said that if ordinary citizens are being told to use water carefully, strict action is also needed against those using water without authorisation.

Patil's demands include immediate inspection of car washing centres, service centres and other commercial establishments. He said it should be checked whether water is being used there as per the rules. He also demanded that illegal tap connections taken on pipelines in the municipal area be identified and cut off at once. He further asked that leakages in main pipelines and distribution lines be found and repaired. The memorandum states that this would reduce wastage and allow better use of the water that is available.

Harshad Patil said water is a basic need of citizens. Imposing water cuts on citizens alone will not be enough, he said. Preventing unauthorised water use, repairing leaks and distributing water equitably are also the administration's responsibility, he said.

On behalf of the MNS, a demand has been made that the municipal administration take immediate note of these demands, take punitive action against those using water without authorisation, and make the water audit report public. Meanwhile, local residents recently held a march to the MIDC office to demand answers over the water problem. They were told that the work is going on as per government planning and that it is true there is a water shortage.