Kolhapur Corporators Voice Frustration Over Water Crisis and Unauthorized Supply Issues
During the general body meeting of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) held on Friday, corporators expressed strong dissatisfaction with the persistent water cuts and escalating water scarcity affecting numerous areas across the city. The discussions centered on the urgent need to address these challenges, which have been causing significant inconvenience to residents.
Concerns Over Unauthorized Water Connections and Revenue Loss
Corporators raised serious concerns about the proliferation of unauthorized water connections in the fringe villages surrounding Kolhapur city. They emphasized that these connections should be regularized to enable the KMC to levy water charges, thereby boosting municipal revenue. Shiv Sena corporator Sharangdhar Deshmukh highlighted the severity of the issue, particularly from Temblaiwadi to Phulewadi, noting that it results in substantial losses in water tax revenue.
"Instead of disconnecting these unauthorized connections, they should be regularized to generate revenue. When city residents are struggling with inadequate water supply, why is KMC providing water to those in rural areas?" Deshmukh questioned during the meeting.
Calls for Action Against Water Leakages and Theft
Congress corporator Rajesh Latkar stressed the necessity for stringent measures against water leakages and theft. He pointed out a specific instance where a building located merely 100 meters from the KMC headquarters receives 1 MLD of water without any intervention. "The shortage of water tankers in the city is a serious issue that requires immediate attention," Latkar asserted, underscoring the critical nature of the water supply problem.
Official Response and Ongoing Challenges
In response to these concerns, a KMC water supply engineer provided detailed insights. The official revealed that rural areas currently have 6,707 active water connections, with outstanding arrears amounting to Rs 1.75 crore. Although new rural water connections have been halted since 2019, action will be taken against any unauthorized ones. The total unrecovered water tax stands at Rs 16 crore.
The engineer further explained that proper water supply within the city is anticipated only after the completion of works under the Amrut Water Supply Scheme, which may require at least two more months. This delay adds to the urgency of addressing the current water scarcity issues.
Additional Civic Issues Discussed
The meeting also featured heated debates on various other civic matters, including:
- Drainage problems
- Garbage management inefficiencies
- Poor road conditions
- Stray animal concerns
- Gas pipeline issues
Congress corporator Jayashree Chavan raised alarms about women's safety, noting that many street lights are non-functional, exacerbating security risks. Additionally, the meeting approved a resolution to grant a three-month extension for the gunthewari regularization process.
Upcoming Water Cuts in Specific Areas
Residents of Shivaji Peth and Mangalwar Peth are advised that they will not receive water on Monday due to ongoing work. This involves cross-connecting the water pipeline under the centrally funded Amrut Water Supply Scheme to the tank at Panyacha Khajina, highlighting the ongoing infrastructure efforts to improve long-term water supply.
