Railways top list of defaulters on water bills

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which provides over 4 lakh water supply connections, has failed to collect bills of over 2 lakh customers. Those topping the list of defaulters include nine government agencies which have run up total arrears of Rs 1,601.15 crore in unpaid water charges. 

Among the agencies who top the defaulters list include the Central and Western Railway, MHADA, MMRDA and the central and state government. As on May 31, Western Railway (WR) topped the list of defaulters with Rs 194.09 crore, Central Railway with Rs 144.48 crore, MHADA with Rs 140.71 crore and the state government with Rs 113.58 crore.

A senior official said, “We have sent several letters and have asked the Railways to pay their bills, but they are reluctant. Since they are government agencies we are unable to take strict action as it is a public transport system.”

Mukul Jain, Divisional Railway Manager, WR, said, “The BMC has added extra charges increasing the outstanding amount as well as sewage charges, which we are against. We are in touch with the BMC on the issue.”