Kolhapur NGO Exposes Massive Water Theft, Demands Action from KMC
In a significant development, the city-based social organisation Prajasattak Samajik Sewa Sanstha has formally written to Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) commissioner Rajendra Bharud, highlighting a substantial discrepancy between the total water drawn for Kolhapur city and the actual water billed. This issue, which has persisted for over a decade, underscores ongoing challenges in municipal water management.
Decade-Long Struggle Against Water Theft
Dilip Desai, a representative from Prajasattak Samajik Sewa Sanstha, detailed the long-standing nature of this problem. The water theft issue was initially raised by the organisation more than ten years ago. At that time, the then-water supply engineer took action by closing approximately 3,500 unauthorised tap connections. However, Desai lamented that a decade later, these illegal connections have been reconnected, allowing water theft to continue unabated.
Stringent Demands for Accountability
Desai has called for rigorous measures to address this issue. He insisted that a physical inspection of water usage at customers' homes must be conducted to verify consumption. According to his calculations, a family of four should typically receive a water bill of at least Rs 600 to Rs 800 every two months. To combat theft, he proposed that pipes connected to meters be thoroughly checked.
Wherever water theft is detected, Desai demanded that authorities collect a 10-year back bill along with a fine of at least Rs 1,000 per two months. Furthermore, he advocated for penalising customers who fail to pay these bills and registering criminal offences against them to deter future violations.
KMC's Response and Operational Challenges
In response to these allegations, KMC water supply engineer Harshjit Ghatge provided insights into the corporation's operations. He revealed that free water is supplied to as many as 38 establishments under the municipal corporation, which contributes to the overall water usage. Kolhapur currently has 1.6 lakh tap connections, and nearly Rs 4 crore worth of water bills is collected monthly.
However, Ghatge pointed out that the total expenditure on water supply amounts to Rs 8 crore per month. This high cost is attributed to ageing pumping stations that require frequent maintenance. This disparity in costs and infrastructure issues is a key reason for the differences observed between the water lifted and the bills charged, according to the engineer.
Broader Implications for Urban Water Management
The situation in Kolhapur highlights critical issues in urban water governance, including infrastructure decay, revenue leakage, and enforcement gaps. The persistence of unauthorised connections over a decade suggests systemic failures that need addressing. As water scarcity becomes an increasing concern in many Indian cities, efficient billing and theft prevention are paramount for sustainable resource management.
This case serves as a reminder for municipal bodies across India to regularly audit their water supply systems, upgrade ageing infrastructure, and implement strict penalties to curb illegal usage. The demands from Prajasattak Samajik Sewa Sanstha could set a precedent for other cities grappling with similar challenges.
