Shock Over Water Bills in Shimla: Consumers Slapped with Bills Running into Lakhs

Shimla, May 8, 2025 – In a bizarre and alarming situation unfolding in the Himachal Pradesh capital, Shimla residents are being hit with water bills running into lakhs of rupees—turning routine utility payments into financial shocks.

Residents from areas like Kanlog and Summerhill have received exorbitant bills, causing widespread confusion and panic. Retired principal Karmchand Sharma, who usually pays between ₹500 and ₹1000 per month, was stunned to receive a water bill of ₹5.39 lakh. In another case, a building owner in Kanlog was billed ₹4 lakh, only to later discover the actual amount due was just ₹145 after the local ward councillor intervened.

The outrage stems from the recent takeover of billing responsibilities by Suez India, a private company appointed by the Shimla Municipal Corporation. Reports indicate serious discrepancies in meter readings and billing, allegedly due to inexperienced staff and flawed procedures. Despite previous assurances and the introduction of a photo-verification process before bill generation, erroneous bills continue to surface.

Rajesh Kashyap, General Manager of Suez India, stated that all incorrect bills would be corrected upon receiving complaints. However, citizens are demanding accountability for the mental and financial stress caused. The incident has sparked heated debates within the Municipal Corporation and raised serious concerns about privatized utility management.

Residents now ask—who will shield them from such gross negligence, and how long before basic governance catches up with technology?