PCMC corporators point finger at Alandi residents for water theft

Corporators of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) have alleged that Alandi residents are carrying out large-scale water theft. They said that, on the contrary, many areas in the twin-town are not getting adequate water supply even though PCMC has implemented  supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) system for equal distribution of water.

The standing committee meeting was adjourned on Tuesday over protest against poor water supply.

Shiv Sena corporator Asha Shendge said,“There is ample water in the dam and PCMC has installed Scada. Citizens are not getting adequate water even after the civic body has promised that there will be round-the-clock water supply in the city.”

NCP corporator Vinaya Tapkir said, “Citizens of Kale Colony in Alandi which is outside PCMC limits are drawing water illegally from the PCMC pipeline. Due to which the residents of localities closer to Alandi are not getting enough water. PCMC should file criminal complaints against these water theft and unauthorised water connection should be cut off,” she said.

Standing committee chairman Navnath Jagtap said that while PCMC commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi is able to control unauthorised construction then why is he not able to regulate and improve water supply.

He said, “When PCMC is collecting tax from people then ample water supply should be given to citizens.”

Pardeshi said, “PCMC water rates are lower as compared to other municipal corporations. Yet there is no significant recovery of water bills in PCMC limits. We are able to collect only Rs29 crore through water bills. PCMC water supply is severely affected due to large number of unauthorised constructions. We also need to decide a policy on water supply to slum dwellers”