Hyderabad: Officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) have recently conducted raids in SR Nagar, specifically targeting SRT Colony, and confiscated seven electric motors attached to water taps. These devices were being used to illegally draw water, a practice that authorities say significantly reduces water pressure for other households. The board has issued warnings that repeat offenders face fines of Rs 5,000. Residents experiencing low water pressure are encouraged to report such issues to the board's customer care.
The seizures, which occurred on Wednesday, followed complaints from residents regarding the unauthorized motor connections. Videos circulating on social media appear to show officials removing the motors during the inspections. This action is part of a broader campaign by the HMWSSB to curb illegal water usage across the city.
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Crackdown on Unauthorized Connections
The HMWSSB has been actively pursuing a campaign against the unauthorized use of motors to draw water. According to officials, approximately 40 percent of consumers reportedly use these devices, which leads to a disproportionate distribution of water. This results in supply issues and low pressure for the remaining 60 percent of consumers who do not employ such methods. Managing Director Ashok Reddy has stated that this practice disrupts balanced water supply and creates artificial shortages.
Escalating Legal Action
Beyond the immediate seizure of motors, the HMWSSB has also escalated its response to illegal connections. In January 2026, the Vigilance Department registered criminal cases against 19 residents in the SR Nagar division for unauthorized connections, including tapping into the city's drain network. Separately, criminal cases were also filed against nine individuals for illegally obtaining sewer connections from water board pipelines without proper authorization. These actions indicate a move towards more stringent legal consequences for violating water supply regulations.
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A History of Raids and Penalties
This is not an isolated incident. In April 2025, the HMWSSB seized 64 motors and penalized 84 consumers as part of a city-wide campaign. A significant portion of these actions, 25 motors seized and an unspecified number of penalties, were concentrated in the SR Nagar division. Earlier, in August 2019, the vigilance wing seized 12 illegal motors in Ramanthapur, imposing a total penalty of Rs 60,000, with a warning of a Rs 10,000 fine for second-time offenders.
The board supplies drinking water across the Greater Hyderabad region, up to the Outer Ring Road, through an extensive and costly pipeline network. Authorities urge citizens to report issues such as low water pressure or supply disruptions to local managers, Deputy General Managers (DGMs), or General Managers (GMs), or by calling customer care at 155313.
