Pune: Thousands of rupees being taken for illegal water supply connections after Devachi Uruali, Fursungi dropped from merged villages list
Common citizens face ‘artificial water shortage’
Pune: The water supply situation has worsened in Devachi Uruli and Fursungi after the villages were dropped from the list of merged villages. Illegal water supply connections are being given by taking money.
The State Government has decided to form a separate municipal council for Uruli Devachi and Fursungi. Though the process of the formation has started technically, the two villages still depend on the PMC for civic amenities. Since water resources in these villages have been polluted due to the garbage depot in the area, the PMC supplies 200 water tankers daily to the villages. Cleanliness, street lights and other basic amenities are provided by the PMC.
However, development work has completely stopped in the villages. A 15-MLD water supply centre was built by the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) after the villages were merged with the PMC. The civic body partly funded the plan. After facing many hurdles in connecting water pipelines to the tank, water supply started to the villages last year.
In some areas of Devachi Uruli, water pipelines have been laid. But the work has still not been completed in both the villages. Currently, an administrator is appointed for them. Since there are no people’s representatives, many people are taking advantage of this.
An illegal water connection is given by taking Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. A particular class is taking undue advantage of the situation and taking many illegal water connections by paying money. Citizens are complaining of irregular and inadequate water supply.
Water leakages due to illegal connections
It becomes difficult to monitor the quantity of water supplied to various areas due to illegal connections. The PMC acted against such practices in the past. This has also disturbed the water supply schedule. Local residents are facing shortages though water is available. Officials said the equitable water supply scheme should be implemented after the new municipal council is formed.
Prasannaraghav Joshi, Executive Engineer, Water Supply Department, PMC, said, “The government decided to drop Devachi Uruli and Fursungi from the merged villages list. But the PMC has the responsibility to provide basic amenities to the villages. The PMC has not received a single application for new water connection after the villages were dropped from the list. The civic body will take action if citizens lodge complaints about illegal water connections.”
