Mumbai Officials Address Water Theft With GPS Tracking

Getting water in America is easy. Simply walk into the kitchen, turn on the tap, and instantly receive a stream of pure, clean, drinkable water. In many parts of the world, it’s not that simple. Safe drinking water is a valuable commodity in places like Mumbai, India. Many communities do not have continuous supplies of water, and government intervention has been necessary to help improve access, especially in rural areas. In some places, water tankers line up at water filling stations, ready to carry water to remote areas. But not all of that water is being handled legitimately. “Tanker mafias” have been responsible for water theft across Mumbai, and some people have expressed concern that corrupt civic officials are in on the thefts as well. And that is where GPS tracking comes in.

GPS Tracking Provides Accountability

It’s unclear exactly who is responsible for the water thefts, although there has been plenty of speculation. That’s why some officials have proposed that each tanker be fitted with a GPS tracking device. The device would track the movements of the tanker, making it possible for officials to keep tabs on where the water is being delivered. Proponents of the system hope that the devices will help crack down on thefts and ensure delivery of the water to its proper destination.

It’s not the first time GPS tracking devices have been used to curb improper use of vehicles and property. Many companies, both publicly funded and private, have installed the systems on their fleet vehicles to keep track of driver activities and ensure efficiency. Although not every company has to deal with blatant theft, fleet managers can still help drivers improve driving habits and put a stop to problems like personal use of company vehicles and unauthorized routes or stops. Companies using the technology have reported numerous benefits including:

• Reduced fuel usage


• Cost savings based on fuel usage and more efficient delivery times


• Identification of shorter and more direct routes


• More deliveries accomplished based on better route choices


• Driver accountability curbing unauthorized stops and habits


• Better driving practices including speed limit observation and reduced idle times

GPS Cracks Down on Theft

Not only will GPS tracking provide accountability for drivers regarding deliveries, but it can also help reduce or eliminate property theft. The devices have been used to track everything from bicycles to laptop computers to shipping containers, and they have proven to be an effective way to prevent theft as well as to recover items that have been stolen. Private companies and law enforcement departments have both used tracking systems as part of their routine theft prevention and identification procedures. Some of the most common uses include the following:

Automobiles	Police officers use “bait vehicles” to identify car theft rings in a given area
Construction equipment	Construction companies track their equipment so it can be recovered if stolen from a job site
Shipping containers	Tracking devices ensure that a shipping container reaches its destination and that it can be found easily if stolen or misdirected
Cell phones	The GPS tracking chip located in every cell phone can help police track it down easily if it gets lost or stolen
Personal items	Laptops, jewelry, and other valuable items can be easily tracked when in transit by placing a GPS transmitter in the container
Bank robberies	Several bank thefts have been foiled by a GPS tracking unit included in the bag of money taken by the robber

Of course, these are just a few examples of items that can be tracked for the purpose of theft prevention. The water thefts in Mumbai carry greater significance in terms of how they affect daily life for the people who don’t receive what they should, but the goal of the tracking is the same. With GPS tracking, managers can easily determine where the shipment is going and stop improper use or theft based on accurate data.

Stopping Water Theft in Mumbai

Ultimately, preventing serious water thefts by tanker mafias depends on government officials having the information they need to identify the thefts and then taking the initiative to act on that information. Although GPS tracking can’t solve the problem of corrupt government officials, it can provide vital information to help turn the tide of tanker mafia thefts. Hydraulic officials in Mumbai plan to install the devices on all water tankers, including those operated by the private sector.

By taking action to install location-monitoring devices on each tanker, Mumbai officials demonstrate that they are serious about getting water to the communities that need it the most. GPS tracking has reached into numerous aspects of daily life across the world, and this is just one more way it can make a difference by protecting the valuable assets needed in rural communities around the globe.

Mumbai Officials Address Water Theft With GPS Tracking