Corporator objects to new water connection for Satpura Botanical Garden project amid Nagpur cuts

A 10 per cent water cut is to come into force in Nagpur city from October 16, and signs of a water crisis are already being felt. Meanwhile, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Orange City Water are processing a new 40 mm diameter water connection for a private commercial project at the Satpura Botanical Garden in Seminary Hills.

Standing committee member and corporator Abhijit Jha raised strong objections on learning of it. He said that when ordinary citizens do not have enough drinking water, there was no reason for such haste in giving a connection from the municipal water supply system to a private contractor's commercial project. He has demanded an immediate stop to the connection and a detailed inquiry into the entire matter.

According to available information, the land of the Satpura Botanical Garden, which falls under Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, was given about six years ago to Satyageeta Infra Deals Private Limited, a company of Manish Mehadia, to operate for 10 years. Questions are also being raised about the running of hotels, resorts and other commercial activities on the premises. The premises already have an independent source of water in the form of a borewell, yet the process of taking a new commercial connection from the supply system was started.

According to available documents, an estimated cost of Rs 48,061 was prepared on August 31, 2026 in the name of Satyageeta Infra Deals Private Limited for the new 40 mm connection. It includes the water meter, pipeline, ball valve, excavation and restoration of the road.

Receipts are available showing that on September 23, 2026, Rs 15,000 as security deposit and Rs 14,379 as service connection charges, a total of Rs 29,379, were deposited with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's water supply department. This leaves a gap of Rs 18,682 between the estimated cost of Rs 48,061 and the Rs 29,379 actually deposited, on which a clear answer has been sought from the administration. It needs to be examined whether the estimated amount was payable in full or whether some costs were included separately.

Jha has raised several serious questions. According to him, people in many parts of Nagpur are facing low pressure and irregular supply because of the severe water crisis. At such a time, the need to give a new 40 mm supply line to a private commercial project is a serious question, he said.

He also asked whether a no-objection certificate was taken from the university, since the land belongs to the agricultural university, and whether the original agreement permits hotel, resort or other commercial use. He also asked how much water has been sanctioned for the project and whether it has been confirmed that the water supply of nearby residents will not be affected. All these aspects need to be investigated, he said.