May 18, 2001
About 135 illegal water connections were disconnected during surprise raids conducted by the civic staff at Chembur.
After receiving complaints about water shortage and water theft from social workers and the public, surprise raids were conducted on May 9, 10, 15 and 16 at Shivaji Nagar and Baiganwadi areas.
The civic staff of the water department, comprising engineers of M-west, M-east and meter inspectors along with four fitters, 18 labourers and the police force of Shivaji Nagar Police Station conducted the raid.
The raids were successful and water connections of various sizes varying from 15mm diameter to 32mm diameter were disconnected. In addition, 3,750 feet pipes along with five booster pumps were also seized.
According to assistant municipal commissioner V P Prabhu of M-east, " These areas are a cluster of slum pockets having various civic problems. Cases of water thefts and illegal water connections were increasing".
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