22 June,2026 09:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
Authorities remove the illegal connection from the Morbe Dam trunk pipeline during a late-night operation in the Devad-Vichumbe area of Panvel taluka. The connection had allegedly been restored despite two earlier crackdowns by NMMC. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Even as Navi Mumbai grapples with growing concerns over water security, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has uncovered repeated theft of water from the city's main Morbe Dam pipeline, with an illegal connection being restored and removed three times at the same location in Panvel taluka.
The latest crackdown took place during an overnight operation between June 19 and June 20, when NMMC officials, backed by police from Khandeshwar police station, disconnected an unauthorised pipeline tapping water directly from the city's 2050-mm trunk water main in the Devad-Vichumbe area. The civic body has now registered a criminal case and installed CCTV cameras to prevent further tampering.
The illegal connection was first detected in early 2025, after complaints. Officials disconnected the line in April 2025 and issued penalty notices, but the connection kept reappearing.
"Navi Mumbai's water supply infrastructure is a critical public asset and any attempt to tamper with it will not be tolerated. This is the third instance of illegal tapping at the same location despite repeated action by the corporation. Such activities not only amount to theft of public resources but also pose a serious threat to the city's water security and supply network. We have installed CCTV surveillance at the site and strict legal action has been initiated."
Dr Kailas Shinde, NMMC Commissioner
According to NMMC, repeated tampering with the Morbe pipeline...
>> Threatens water security
>> Damages infrastructure
>> Can disrupt city-wide water distribution
>> Raises concerns about the vulnerability of major supply networks
An FIR has been registered at Khandeshwar police station under:
>> Sections 303(2), 326A, 125, 324 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
>> Section 3(2)(c) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984
April 2025
>> Illegal connection detected and removed
>> Penalty notice of '80.92 lakh issued
January 2026
>> Connection found restored during repair work
>> Officials allegedly faced resistance from locals during removal attempt
March 28, 2026
>> Police-assisted operation removes connection for second time
June 2026
>> Pipeline found tampered with again
>> Fresh penalty of '1.17 crore imposed
June 19-20, 2026
>> Overnight operation removes connection for third time
>> CCTV surveillance installed at site to prevent further tampering
Number of times connection removed 3
Illegal connection diameter
100 mm
Main pipeline diameter
2050 mm
First penalty imposed
Rs 80.92L
Second penalty imposed
Rs 1.17cr
Total penalty
Rs 1.98 cr
FIR registered
June 2026
