NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal 's anti-corruption agenda is being implemented with a vengeance by Delhi Jal Board . On Wednesday, the water utility took possession of 22 tubewells in Sangam Vihar that were located on public land but were being operated commercially.

The five lakh-odd residents of Sangam Vihar, probably the largest unauthorized colony in Delhi, survive only on water from tubewell and tanker supply. The colony has also been the hub for the illegal tanker mafia in south Delhi with its many privately operated tubewells supplying an endless amount of water. DJB recently formed a task force to clamp down on the water mafia and under its recommendation, DJB CEO Vijay Kumar inspected the colony on Sunday.

"The borewells that have been acquired by DJB on Wednesday were all located on public land but were being run privately. These are illegal because no permission was taken from the sub-divisional magistrate or deputy commissioner before they were dug. Water from these borewells was also being sold, sometimes at exorbitant rates of as much as Rs 700 per family per month. Initially, DJB had the option of sealing such unauthorized tubewells but that did not help since the seals could be broken. During his inspection of the area, the CEO felt that if these tubewells could be run privately, DJB could take over and supply water for free," said sources.

On Wednesday, 40 DJB officials, accompanied by police and officials from the DC (south) office, reached the colony and cut off the power supply from each of the 22 tubewells. They had already coordinated with discom BSES which gave them power connections on the spot.

After installing their own connection, DJB locked the tubewells and also stationed security personnel at each of the tubewells to prevent mischievous elements from breaking the locks. RWAs have also been asked to keep a watch.

"We plan to acquire around 50 such tubewells and the exercise will continue on Thursday. The DC's office has been requested to lodge a complaint against the operators of these illegally installed borewells on public land in Sangam Vihar. A complaint has been lodged under the relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986," said sources.

DJB operates 150 tubewells in the area and supplements the supply through tankers. The colony is located on forest land and because it has yet to be authorized, DJB officials claim they cannot put in infrastructure. "The area is designated to get supply from the Okhla water treatment plant once it starts full production on receiving water from the Munak Canal.

The task force on the water mafia has already seen the transfer of 800 class IV employees in the water emergency and filling point department who were there for three years or more and a crackdown on DJB's own tankers.

