GUWAHATI, Nov 6 - The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has intensified its drive against illegal extraction of water from municipal supply pipes and 115 pumps, used for drawing out water, have been seized in the city.
�So far, 115 pumps used for illegal extraction of water from GMC-run water supply pipes have been seized during the ongoing drive which started in the city a few days back,� GMC Commissioner Narayan Konwar told The Assam Tribune today.
He said that the municipal body is losing a huge amount of revenue on an annual basis on account of illegal extraction from the municipal water supply lines by unscrupulous elements.
�The corporation spends Rs 12 crore every year on water works, but the revenue generated from consumers is only Rs 4 crore. So, annually we are losing Rs 8 crore. The problem has exacerbated on account of the theft of water,� he said.
�The money spent on water works is the taxpayers� money. Genuine users, who pay their bills on time and have connections, were facing problems due to illegal extraction by unscrupulous elements. There had been complaints from many areas regarding water shortage on account of the illegal extraction from the supply lines. Our drive will continue,� he said.
Among the localities where the crackdown has resulted in big seizures of pumps are Uzan Bazar, Panbazar, Kharghuli, Ulubari and Athgaon.
Meanwhile, the GMC has also started a drive against violation of building bye-laws.
�We have conducted drives for two days so far and taken measurements of 18 buildings in different localities. Some deviations have been found at places. By next week, we will issue notices. Some violations are compoundable where paying of fine is sufficient, while others are non-compoundable where the structures have to be demolished,� Konwar said, adding that the drive will be intensified and expanded to more localities.
