Kalyan: Amid water shortage in Dombivli MIDC and 27 villages dependent on MIDC water supply, suspected water theft through illegal tapping on a major MIDC pipeline has come to light at Hedutane village near Dombivli. A video showing tankers allegedly being filled with water from the pipeline went viral on social media, prompting MIDC officials to take action.An MIDC vigilance team visited the site on Tuesday and sealed the hole in the pipeline through welding. A case has been registered against an unidentified person, said MIDC water supply department executive engineer Shashikant Raut.Officials found an illegal three-inch tapping on the major pipeline, which was allegedly being used to draw water and fill tankers. The unauthorised connection was disconnected after the incident came to light.The incident has raised questions about water supply management at a time when residents of Dombivli MIDC and 27 villages in the Kalyan rural belt have been facing shortages following successive water shutdowns, including a recent 36-hour shutdown.MIDC supplies water to more than 420 industrial units in Dombivli, with daily demand estimated at 20-25 million litres. It also supplies water to 27 villages in the Kalyan-Dombivli region.The state has imposed a 10% water cut in Thane district amid concerns over water availability. Against this backdrop, the suspected illegal extraction of water through a pipeline tapping has triggered concern among residents who have been struggling to secure regular supplies.Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s Dombivli city president Harshad Harishchandra Patil questioned whether officials concerned had allowed tanker operators to steal water from the MIDC pipeline.Patil alleged that while residents were facing hardship because of a 36-hour water shutdown, tankers were allegedly being filled through an illegal connection. He demanded immediate suspension of the officials concerned and an impartial probe by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), followed by strict action against those found guilty.Raut said, “The spot where water theft was reported is workshop and viral video shows there were tankers stationed there but before our team could reach, tankers had left.” Raut added that an FIR was registered at a police station and police would crack the case. To check thefts, MIDC has also decided to patrol the area through a vigilance team.
