A special squad and the Blue Brigade of the Kerala Water Authority
(KWA) identified numerous illegal connections on the newly-laid JICA
pipeline at Pothencode, Chenkottukonam and Sasthavattam areas coming
under the Thiruvananthapuram Public Health Division of the KWA.
The
water utility has suspended the plumbing licence of Sivasakthi
Engineering Works which, allegedly, arranged the illegal connections.
Raids at Chenkottukonam and Sasthavattam areas revealed 12 illegal
connections on the JICA pipeline. KWA officials have disconnected the
illegal lines.
An investigation revealed that one Sreekumaran
Nair, who has a plumbing licence in the name of Sivasakthi Engineering
Works, had arranged the connections after taking huge sums from
individuals, the KWA said in a statement. The licence stands suspended
until further notice, KWA officials said. The KWA has also asked
consumers in the region who have taken new connections from the said
plumber to contact the Assistant Executive Engineer, Water Works North
Sub-Division, to ascertain whether their connections are legal or not.
The officer can be contacted on 8547638186.
The
KWA had tightened monitoring of its facilities following reports that
water theft and illegal connections were on the rise in the capital
city. In fact, the special squad was formed to detect misuse and theft
of water in view of the drought situation.
The raids were led by
Assistant Executive Engineer Chandrakumar and overseers Jose Paul,
Manikantan and Sajeev. The police also accompanied the KWA team.
