The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has intensified its citywide drive to recover nearly ₹250 crore in unpaid water dues, signalling a stringent enforcement phase in its bid to strengthen municipal revenue and ensure equitable water distribution. The civic administration has warned that households and establishments defaulting on payments will face disconnection of supply, while those attempting illegal reconnections will face prosecution under civic laws.
Officials said the commissioner has directed the water supply department to complete recovery of both long-pending and current dues within the current financial year. The department has also been instructed to review progress weekly and initiate disciplinary action against officials who fail to submit timely reports. According to civic data, of the ₹250 crore owed to the TMC, ₹92.28 crore represents legacy arrears accumulated over several years, while ₹157.80 crore are dues from the ongoing financial year. Since April 2025, the corporation has managed to recover about ₹43 crore — roughly 18% of the total recoverable amount. Civic officials have now rolled out a ward-level campaign to intensify recovery operations, combining administrative enforcement with public awareness drives urging residents to settle their bills promptly.
At a recent review meeting, senior officials reaffirmed that the civic body has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards chronic defaulters. Teams across all ward committees have begun disconnection of water connections, seizure of motor pumps, and sealing of meter rooms where repeated violations are found. Officials added that the drive would also target large establishments and housing societies with high-volume consumption that have not cleared bills for extended periods. In the previous financial year (2024–25), the civic body collected ₹148.95 crore in water bills, marking a ₹15 crore increase over the 2023–24 figure. This year, the administration is targeting full recovery to boost water infrastructure investment and ensure uninterrupted supply across the city. The civic leadership has stressed that efficient revenue collection is essential to support upcoming projects aimed at sustainable water management, leak detection systems, and equitable distribution networks.
Experts have commended the administration’s effort, highlighting that revenue recovery is integral to building financially resilient and environmentally sustainable cities. “Water governance depends as much on efficient collection as on efficient supply,” said an urban policy expert. “Without fiscal discipline, cities cannot sustain smart water networks or ensure fair access for all communities.” By enforcing accountability among consumers and civic officials alike, the TMC aims to instil a culture of responsible water use. The campaign, while strict in enforcement, also reflects the growing urgency among Indian cities to link urban service delivery with sustainability and fiscal prudence. If executed effectively, Thane’s model could offer a blueprint for urban utilities struggling with revenue leakages and rising infrastructure costs.
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