Frequent power cable thefts disrupt water supply in Indora area

Frequent thefts of electric cables from irrigation and water supply schemes in the Jal Shakti Department’s (JSD) Indora division have become a major concern. These thefts have severely impacted thousands of water consumers in this interstate border area, leaving them without water for days.

Despite multiple FIRs filed by the JSD with the police, no arrests have been made due to a lack of concrete evidence. Over the past 11 months, thieves have stolen cables from 30 water supply schemes, including both irrigation and potable water projects. The restoration of these disrupted schemes takes four to five days, forcing residents to rely on wells and rivulets for their daily water needs. A shortage of funds in the JSD further worsens the situation.

Authorities suspect that a gang of drug addicts is behind these thefts, stealing cables to finance their purchase of synthetic drugs. This criminal activity has not only caused hardship for water consumers but also created significant challenges for the JSD.

The issue was raised in the state Assembly on Monday by Indora MLA Malinder Rajan, who urged Deputy Chief Minister and Jal Shakti Minister Mukesh Agnihotri to implement a mechanism to curb these frequent thefts. Rajan had earlier submitted a formal question in the Assembly, highlighting the recurring thefts affecting irrigation and potable water supply schemes in his constituency.

In response, Agnihotri acknowledged the seriousness of the problem and admitted that such thefts, carried out by drug addicts, were affecting around 8 to 10 assembly constituencies in the interstate border areas of the state. He assured the MLA that the government would discuss the issue with the Director General of Police (DGP) and take necessary steps to address the problem.

Executive Engineer of JSD Indora confirmed that the department had registered 37 FIRs with the police, reporting thefts from 30 tubewells between April 30 last year and March 20 this year. Police sources have stated that investigations are ongoing, and the culprits will be arrested soon.

With repeated thefts causing prolonged disruptions, residents are demanding stricter security measures and swift action to put an end to this growing menace.