It’s a classic strongarm tactic used for recovery of outstanding amounts. In the face of mounting unpaid dues by the Indian Railways, the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) cut off the water supply to the Kalyan station. The railway authorities reportedly owed Rs4.41 crore in pending water bills, which resulted in the strong action.

According to KDMC officials, the railway station had accumulated Rs1 crore in water charges for the current year, while Rs3.41 crore remained unpaid from previous years. Despite repeated notices, Cenral Railway authorities failed to clear the dues, prompting KDMC to disconnect the water supply in the early hours of March 30. 

The water cut lasted from 4 PM on March 29 until 2:30 PM on March 30, impacting both passengers and station staff.

In a letter sent on March 28, KDMC had given a 24-hour notice to the Indian Railways to settle the bills, including this year's outstanding of Rs 1.04 crore. After the water supply was cut, Central Railway wrote back, saying it had paid water bills of Rs 8.7 crore from time to time and this year's bill alone was pending. It claimed it was in the process of clearing all dues. ..

Following urgent discussions with KDMC officials, railway authorities agreed to pay Rs1.17 crore. In response, KDMC commissioner Dr Indurani Jakhar ordered the restoration of water supply in the evening of March 30.

However, discussions between KDMC and railway officials are expected next week to clear the remaining pending dues, confirmed Assistant Commissioner Sachin Tamkhede. 

Expressing frustration over the issue, daily commuter Popat Ingale said, "Passengers like us rely on railway stations for basic facilities. The railway department should ensure dues are paid on time so that citizens do not face such issues again."