HMWSSB to crack whip on illegal connections

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) conducted the revenue review meeting on Friday.

In the span of 10-day door-to door survey, 14,317 connections were surveyed by the Water Board in the six divisions, out of which 13,841 were identified as freshwater connections, 478 as domestic connections, 1,018 as commercial connections and 216 as illegal connections. According to the details, HMWSSB estimates revenue of Rs 2 Cr for the new connections and Rs 15 lakh on monthly bills could be increased after survey.

Speaking on the occasion, Water Board Managing Director M Dana Kishore said the 10-day survey operation was designed to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) in the water sector.

He also said that the government was undertaking new reforms such as house survey, hundred per cent billing and collections to increase revenue. He instructed the authorities concerned to check the information provided by the GHMC at the field level and identify the commercial connections.

Around 150 survey teams with 400 staff are expected to complete the work. He also ordered the police department to take 300 home guards from the police department to the water board on deputation.

Officers are advised to utilise the services of retired Water Board employees, if necessary. The meeting was attended by Operations Director Krishna and P Ravi, Technical Director, CCMs, GMs and DGMs.