In a major crackdown on water bill defaulters, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has exceeded the 100 crore rupees mark in water bill collections, showing an increase of 18 crores compared to the same period last year. The corporation has disconnected 9,603 water connections, confiscated 2,024 motor pumps, and sealed 547 pump rooms across the city. Additionally, notices have been served to 9,923 defaulters.
The total water bill amount for the corporation stands at approximately 225 crore rupees, with 76 crores in arrears and 148 crores as current year billing. Deputy City Engineer Vinod Pawar reported that 106 crores have been collected so far. Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has issued strict directives regarding the collection drive, with Additional Commissioner (1) Sandeep Malvi regularly reviewing the progress.
The corporation has launched a weekly collection target system to improve recovery rates. Officials have been instructed to file criminal cases against those who illegally reconnect their water supply after disconnection. The TMC is also offering a 100% waiver on administrative charges for domestic connection holders who clear their pending bills along with current dues before March 31, 2025.
The collection drive has shown varying results across different wards, with Mumbra recording 3,137 disconnections, while Majiwada-Manpada ward collected the highest amount at 21.12 crore rupees. Engineers and clerks who show negligence in bill collection will face disciplinary action, including suspension of annual increments.
Commercial connections are not eligible for the administrative charges waiver scheme, and the waiver will not apply to domestic users who have already paid their bills before this policy announcement.