Notices to holders of ‘illegal’ water and sewer connections in Karnal city

The Karnal Municipal Corporation is facing a major challenge due to the large number of ‘illegal’ water and sewer connection holders in the city. As per the data, there are 1,16,051 properties, of which only 40,957 have legal water and sewer connections, while the remaining 75,094 do not have legal connections, resulting in revenue loss for the corporation. It has put an additional strain on the city’s water supply and sewage management system.

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To tackle the issue, the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) has launched a 15-day deadline to regularise illegal connections. Notices have been issued to violators, urging them to legalise their connections by submitting required documents and fees. The authorities have warned that failure to comply within the given timeframe may result in disconnection and penalties.

Besides, defaulters have been warned to clear their outstanding dues, or the amount would be added to their property tax bill. Earlier in December, the notices were issued to some residents, and several illegal connections were also disconnected as part of the crackdown.

“We have given 15 days to the residents to get their illegal connections regularised. Notices have been issued to the violators, and I appeal to the public to take necessary action,” said Dr Vaishali Sharma, Commissioner, KMC.

She urged the residents with unauthorised connections to submit the required documents and fees for regularisation. Those failing to do so within the stipulated time would face strict municipal action.

Sharma appealed to legal water connection holders who had not installed meters, to do so, at the earliest, emphasising that installing a meter would significantly reduce their annual bill.

To obtain a legal water and sewer connection, the applicants must submit an application along with essential documents such as property registration papers, the owner's Aadhar card, passport-size photograph, neighbor’s water and sewer bills, property tax receipt, and the family identity card (Parivar Pehchan Patra), the Commissioner said.

Sharma also highlighted the differential billing for commercial establishments. Businesses with a legal connection and an installed meter are charged based on meter readings or an annual fee of Rs 1,440, whereas those without meters are billed Rs 15,000 per year. She urged all property owners to ensure proper meter installation after obtaining a connection.