The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has initiated a stringent crackdown on the illegal use of water booster pumps in Kharghar, following mounting complaints from residents over uneven water distribution.
This decisive action reflects CIDCO’s commitment to ensuring equitable water supply across its jurisdictions, particularly in the face of persistent water shortages reported in various housing societies. In the last week, CIDCO’s water department, backed by a team of over 25 officials, conducted surprise inspections across sectors 34 and 35 of Kharghar. During these operations, 35 illegal booster pumps were confiscated, highlighting the scale of the problem in this bustling node. The crackdown was in response to numerous grievances from residents who, despite the monsoon’s generous rainfall and the subsequent lifting of water cuts, continued to suffer from low water pressure in their homes.
CIDCO’s official elaborated on the issue, explaining that certain housing societies had installed booster motors directly onto CIDCO’s water pipelines. These unauthorised installations siphoned water at high pressure, thereby depriving neighbouring societies of their rightful share of the supply. The impact of these pumps was particularly pronounced in areas already struggling with water distribution, exacerbating the disparity between different residential communities.
The agency’s enforcement measures are not limited to Kharghar alone. Similar drives are being planned across other nodes under CIDCO’s purview, including Taloja, Kamothe, Kalamboli, Panvel, Karanjade, Ulwe, and Dronagiri. CIDCO has issued stern warnings to the offending housing societies, cautioning them against reinstalling the confiscated pumps. Legal action is being considered for repeat offenders, reflecting the seriousness with which CIDCO views this issue. Residents of Kharghar have expressed strong support for CIDCO’s intervention. One local resident noted that the unauthorised use of booster pumps had long been a source of contention, as it effectively diverted a significant portion of the water supply away from other societies.
This forced many to rely on expensive water tanker services to meet their daily needs. The resident further highlighted instances where societies received just 50% of their allotted water quota due to the inequitable distribution caused by these pumps. The crackdown has already yielded positive results. Following the removal of the illegal pumps, neighbouring societies have reported a noticeable improvement in their water supply. CIDCO’s proactive approach in addressing this issue is seen as a crucial step towards restoring balance and fairness in water distribution across the region.
As CIDCO continues its drive in Kharghar and expands its efforts to other areas, the agency’s actions are expected to bring much-needed relief to residents who have been grappling with water scarcity. By ensuring that water is distributed equitably, CIDCO is reinforcing its role as a vigilant steward of public resources, dedicated to upholding the interests of all its residents. This enforcement campaign underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in managing essential utilities and serves as a warning to those who seek to manipulate public infrastructure for private gain. With CIDCO’s ongoing vigilance, the integrity of the water supply system in Navi Mumbai’s nodes is likely to be safeguarded, benefiting all citizens equally.
