Solan Municipal Corporation faces losses due to illegal water connections

The Solan Municipal Corporation (MC) is grappling with significant financial losses due to 144 illegal water connections that have brought no payments over several years. These connections, issued in the names of government employees living in government accommodations, have continuously bypassed billing requirements. Despite previous efforts to disconnect some of these illegal connections, many remain active due to a lenient approach from civic body employees.

The issue was highlighted during a recent MC general house meeting, where some councillors objected to certain households holding multiple water connections, with reports indicating some houses possess up to eight connections. Further investigation revealed that several public water connections, totaling six to eight, were also being misused.

Aging water infra compounds crisis

• The city’s aging and leaking water infrastructure has compounded the crisis, leading to significant water shortages, with some residents receiving water only once every four to five days during peak summer months
• Complaints from residents regarding unequal water tariffs have been recurrent, yet remain largely unaddressed. A rate disparity persists, with most wards charged Rs 29 per 1,000 litre, while newly integrated rural areas and certain wards, like Ward No 1, pay Rs 13

A decision was taken during the meeting to disconnect all such unauthorised connections, though it remains uncertain whether the MC staff will enforce this measure effectively, as there have been instances of employees discreetly authorising these connections.

Adding to the MC’s financial strain, it currently holds a pending liability of over Rs 100 crore with the Jal Shakti Department (JSD). The JSD supplies bulk water to the MC at a rate of Rs 27.71 per 1,000 litre, but the MC charges residents Rs 22 per 1,000 litre, resulting in a deficit of Rs 5.71 per 1,000 litre. Efforts to subsidise water rates further were dismissed by the state government in 2021, as such a move would worsen the MC’s financial constraints.

The city’s aging and leaking water infrastructure has compounded the crisis, leading to significant water shortages, with some residents receiving water only once every four to five days during peak summer months. Complaints from residents regarding unequal water tariffs have been recurrent, yet remain largely unaddressed. A rate disparity persists, with most wards charged Rs 29 per 1,000 litre, while newly integrated rural areas and certain wards, like Ward No 1, pay Rs 13 per 1,000 litre. Water charges undergo revision annually in April.

The merging of several rural areas into the MC jurisdiction in 2020 has complicated water management, exposing further gaps in distribution and billing that have contributed to the current financial shortfall.