The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has launched an aggressive recovery drive to collect ₹250 crore in pending and current water dues, tightening enforcement measures against defaulting consumers across residential, commercial, and industrial establishments. The civic body, which has so far recovered ₹43.59 crore—around 18 per cent of the target—has begun disconnecting water connections of chronic defaulters as part of a broader accountability campaign.
According to senior civic officials, the ₹250 crore target for the current fiscal includes ₹92.28 crore in arrears from previous years and ₹157.80 crore in current bills. The intensified effort comes under the directive of the municipal commissioner, who has instructed all ward offices and the Water Supply Department to ensure 100 per cent recovery of dues by the end of the financial year. The TMC’s latest initiative is a direct response to the rising financial strain caused by unpaid water bills, which have long hindered the civic body’s ability to sustain water infrastructure and fund new supply projects. Officials emphasised that ensuring timely payments is vital to maintaining equitable water distribution and supporting infrastructure upgrades in a city experiencing rapid population growth.
To expedite collections, the TMC has begun cutting off water supply lines, seizing motor pumps, and sealing meter rooms in properties with outstanding dues. A dedicated monitoring system has been established to track daily progress, with review meetings scheduled every Monday. The campaign, supervised by senior administrative and engineering officers, will also evaluate departmental performance to ensure transparency and accountability in recovery operations. Civic officials have issued strict warnings against unauthorised reconnections made after disconnection, stating that such actions would invite criminal proceedings. The move aims to instil compliance and deter habitual non-payers. Authorities also clarified that emergency services will not be affected by the enforcement drive.
Ward-wise reports indicate that the Majiwada–Manpada zone leads in recovery with ₹7.60 crore collected, followed by Naupada–Kopri with ₹6.54 crore. Officials estimate that a total of ₹148.95 crore could be recovered within the fiscal year if the momentum continues, significantly reducing the civic body’s dependency on external funding for water-related projects. Experts in urban governance have supported the TMC’s decision, noting that such measures are critical to ensure fiscal discipline in urban utilities. However, they emphasised the need for greater public awareness about water conservation and responsible usage, linking financial compliance with the broader goal of building sustainable and water-secure cities.
As Thane continues to urbanise rapidly, the civic body’s focus on strengthening its revenue streams through disciplined recovery and fair enforcement is expected to play a key role in achieving long-term water resilience and equitable service delivery.
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