206 illegal water pumps seized in 20-day crackdown

Nagpur: Joint teams of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Orange City Water (OCW) have seized 206 unauthorised booster (Tullu) pumps in the past 20 days as authorities intensify action against illegal water tapping amid mounting summer water stress.The enforcement drive, launched on May 13 with support from Nagpur Police, recorded the highest number of seizures in Satranjipura zone (45), followed by Dharampeth (36), Nehru Nagar (34) and Dhantoli (33). Other recoveries were reported from Ashi Nagar (22), Gandhibagh (20), Laxmi Nagar (11), Lakadganj (10), Hanuman Nagar (9), and Mangalwari (2).Officials said the pumps were illegally connected to municipal pipelines to draw water at higher pressure for individual households. The practice disrupts the distribution network by reducing pressure in supply lines, often leaving neighbouring residents with inadequate water supply.The action comes at a time when drying and contaminated borewells have increased dependence on municipal water. Several localities have reported low-pressure supply, with civic officials attributing part of the problem to the widespread use of booster pumps.NMC and OCW have warned that enforcement will continue and urged citizens to report illegal connections.