RMC's power cut during water supply yields mixed dividends

Raipur: In a bid to ensure equitable water distribution across the city, the Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) began enforcing scheduled power cuts in select wards of Zones 5, 6, and 8 during morning and evening water supply hours.

The strategy targets illegal extraction of excess water using electric pumps—a practice that left many households, especially in underserved areas, without adequate water supply.

RMC now claims that move has resulted in positive results, with water supply improving in the 3 zones. Critics of the move, including opposition Congress leaders, have raised concerns that this strategy is causing inconvience to the public, especially during the evening when electricity is required. They pointed out that while affluent and well-off families can get by using inverters, it is the economically-weaker sections and the poor that will suffer the most as a consequence of these electricity cuts.

RMC's water works department, said that localities such as Ward Nos. 67 and 68 in Zone 5, Satyam Vihar and surrounding areas of Zone 8, and parts of Tikrapara, Sanjay Nagar, and Chhattisgarh Nagar experienced noticeable improvements in water availability since the power cut initiative was introduced.

Executive engineer Nar Singh Farendra of the water works Department stated that residents in these areas are now receiving a fair share of water during supply hours. "Earlier, many households struggled to get enough water because others were using electric motor pumps to extract more than their share. With the temporary power cuts during water supply hours, we managed to control this malpractice to a great extent," Farendra told TOI.

The illegal use of electric motor pumps has long been a concern in Raipur, but quantifying the extent of the problem remains a challenge. "It's difficult to put a number on how many motor pumps are being used illegally in a ward, as we don't have official data. However, based on field observation, it's estimated that alternate households are using them," Farendra added.

Despite the success in targeted zones, the RMC's move has triggered political backlash. Mayor Meenal Choubey responded to these criticisms by emphasizing that power cuts should be seen as a last resort. "The RMC is committed to the welfare of the public. If there's a better solution, we're open to it. But the current strategy is already making a difference in water availability," she told TOI.

While the debate continues, RMC officials are optimistic about expanding the power cut strategy to other wards facing similar issues. For now, the results in pilot areas are encouraging according to them, and the corporation hopes that sustained enforcement—backed by political and community support—will help Raipur's water availability, officials said.