MP's Neemuch Administration Cracks Down On Illegal Water Theft At Jaju Sagar Dam, Removes 50 Pipes

The Neemuch district administration in Madhya Pradesh conducted a crackdown on Wednesday to curb illegal water extraction from Jaju Sagar Dam, also referred to as Harkiyakhal Dam. The initiative followed directions from Collector Himanshu Chandra, who oversaw a joint operation targeting illegal underground pipelines in a roughly three-square-kilometer region.

Leader of this operation was Neemuch's Sub-Divisional Magistrate Parag Jain, assisted by officials from the municipal corporation, revenue department, police department, and electricity department. The team confiscated roughly two trolley-loads of pipes, estimated to be worth around Rs 2 lakh. Upon inspection, officials discovered that several individuals had clandestinely buried underground pipelines within the dam area, aiming to irrigate their farmlands.

To address the issue, the administration deployed JCB machines and other heavy equipment to dismantle the unauthorized pipelines. According to the administration, 50 pipes, each 20 feet long, were successfully removed, totaling approximately 1,000 feet in length. Additionally, 50 other pipes were damaged during the operation. Chief Medical Officer Durga Bamaniya directed the efforts, alongside Jiran tehsildar Shatrughan Chaturvedi and personnel from the police and electricity departments.

This action comes in response to an order from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which required the removal of encroachments from Indore's Khajrana land within a 30-day timeframe.