TMC cracks down on illegal water connections
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This action followed orders from Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao to investigate water supply to unauthorized constructions, prompted by stern remarks from the Bombay High Court on how illegal structures were receiving water and electricity connections.
Starting July 25, the Water Supply Department launched a special campaign targeting partially constructed and occupied illegal buildings in Diva, Mumbra, Majiwada-Manpada, Kalwa, Uthalsar, and Lokmanya Nagar-Savarkar Nagar.
Alongside disconnecting water taps, borewells were plugged and pumps seized to curb unauthorized use.
Meanwhile, Thane Congress president Vikrant Chavan condemned the continued rise of illegal constructions despite the high court's directives. "Over 300 ongoing illegal structures are still being constructed citywide, including in the ecologically sensitive Yeoor area. We are also demanding that all future demolitions and enforcement on these structures be done under court supervision for transparency," he said.
The party also called for the disclosure of officials involved in permitting water and power connections to illegal buildings and sought the outcome of inquiries into assistant commissioners allegedly supporting these constructions. They demanded thorough investigations into developers, govt officials, and political figures allegedly protecting and funding illegal developments.
Calling the illegal construction menace "organised crime," he urged the administration to file charges under the stringent MCOCA law. He warned that if decisive action isn't taken, Congress would file a Public Interest Litigation.
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