NMC drafts 7-point water plan with solar pumps on 400 wells, Rs 16 crore earmarked

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has begun preparing for a possible water crisis after the Water Resources Department directed that water supply be cut. The government and the administration may claim that enough drinking water is available, but anticipating a shortage ahead, the corporation has drawn up a seven-point programme for water conservation and saving.

The programme was finalised after a high-level meeting chaired by Mayor Neeta Thakre. At the meeting, Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar presented the administrative measures through a PowerPoint presentation. The programme was then given its final shape after suggestions from elected representatives were added. The Mayor has appealed to residents to cooperate in making these measures a success.

The biggest part of the plan concerns public wells. Nagpur has 860 public wells, of which 400 will get solar dual pumping systems with the help of the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA). A budget provision of Rs 16 crore has been made for this, with a target of making 20 million litres of water available daily.

Hydrants will also be built at 10 of the corporation's sewage treatment plant (STP) centres, at an estimated cost of about Rs 41 lakh. Treated water from these hydrants will be used for construction work, gardens, car washing, firefighting, the railways, the airport and hospitals. According to the corporation, this arrangement could save about 20 million litres of drinking water a day.

Special teams have been formed to stop leaks from water pipelines. Leaks in pipelines are being detected using advanced robocam technology and repaired, with a target of saving 3.15 million litres of water a day. Special squads have also been deployed to fix minor leakage complaints within 24 hours.

The corporation also plans to identify unauthorised tap connections and regularise them, which will bring it revenue as well. The Mayor has directed that a policy be prepared to install meters and regularise illegal connections, in order to curb excessive water use in slums.

Rain water harvesting systems will be installed in all corporation buildings with the help of the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA). Citizens will also be encouraged to arrange rainwater harvesting on their premises. Leader of the ruling party Balya Borkar suggested that rain water harvesting be made mandatory in the city and that camps be held after Diwali to regularise illegal tap connections.

Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani, ruling party leader Balya Borkar, Leader of the Opposition Sanjay Mahakalkar, Water Supply Committee Chairperson Divya Dhurde, group leaders of various political parties and senior officials were present at the meeting.