Despite issuing repeated warnings and threats to cut off the water connections, both the government and private offices have failed to pay the water bills to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Water bills amounting to a staggering `859.32 crore are still pending with several government offices and private consumers for several years.
The private consumers, which include the commercial offices, hotels, private companies, residential complexes etc, top the defaulters list with more than 60 per cent arrears pending with them. Out of the total outstanding bill of `859.32 crore, they constitute an astounding `551.95 crore.
Private consumers also include star hotels, which are yet to pay `73 lakh.
“The amount of the bills is piling up due to the two per cent interest that we charge every month on the amount. Disputes with several government offices have also resulted in the bills remaining pending. The government is refusing to pay the sewerage charge along with water bills, while the BMC is not ready to forego it,” said Ramesh Bamble, chief hydraulic engineer.
Western Railways and state government offices, with arrears of `96.42 crore and `60.88 crore respectively, are on the second and third position in the defaulters list. The other major non-payers are Central Railway (`54.75 crore) and Mhada (`40.62 crore).