Notwithstanding the worsening water shortage in the searing heat, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has just one anti-theft squad for its entire central region covering Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Idukki and Thrissur districts.
Even this squad under the non-revenue water management wing hardly has enough personnel with only an assistant engineer, a fitter and an apprentice trainee along with a driver making up the squad.
KWA sources said a recent hike in the water charges seems to have increased the instances of water theft. This calls for a strengthening of the anti-theft squad, for which a request has been placed before the government. However, it is yet to invoke any positive response, they added.
