Task Force cracks down on illegal water connections in Jamshedpur, fines Rs 60,000 in surprise raid

Jamshedpur: In an important step to curb unauthorized water usage, the newly formed Drinking Water Task Force in the Mango Municipal Corporation area caught five illegal water connections during a surprise raid on Sunday. The enforcement drive, led by Assistant Municipal Commissioner Aaqib Javed and Arvind Agarwal, resulted in the collection of fines totaling ₹60,000.

The raids were carried out in key localities including Jawahar Nagar Road No. 04, Road No. 13, and the vicinity around Big Bazaar. Out of the seven locations inspected, illegal water connections were detected at five spots.

The task force has been constituted under the directions of District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner  Ananya Mittal to ensure prompt redressal of drinking water-related issues. The operation is being overseen by Project Director, ITDA,  Dipankar Chaudhary, who heads the task force.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner  Aaqib Javed stated that these surprise checks will continue in the future to ensure compliance and discourage illegal tapping of municipal water. “Those who have not yet taken legal water connections should do so immediately by paying the prescribed fees,” he cautioned.

In addition to the enforcement drive, efforts are underway to strengthen the local water supply infrastructure. The Mango Municipal Corporation has proposed the purchase of two submersible pumps and two water tankers to meet the increasing demand and resolve supply issues in water-stressed areas.

To make the system more responsive and accessible, a dedicated helpline (8603533700) has been activated. Residents are encouraged to report drinking water-related complaints and concerns on this number for timely intervention.

The crackdown and infrastructure boost come at a time when water scarcity and supply issues are growing concerns during the summer months. Officials emphasized that such enforcement and support measures aim to ensure equitable and uninterrupted access to drinking water for all legal consumers.