Totladoh storage falls, Nagpur may face 10% water cut in a month

Water storage in the Totladoh reservoir, also known as the Pench reservoir, which supplies Nagpur city, has dropped this time. Rain this year fell short of expectations. Under the influence of El Nino, rainfall was low in Nagpur district as well as across the state, and the effect is now visible on water sources. If the heat intensifies, evaporation could reduce the storage further.

Nagpur's water supply may have to be cut by about 10 per cent over the next month. In view of this, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has appealed to people to use every drop of water carefully.

The administration is planning water supply keeping in mind the water available in the city and the summer ahead. Two meetings have been held so far. A proposal to impose a water cut every 10 days, based on the state of the storage, was under consideration. But after calculating the available water and the time left until the next monsoon, the decision has been put off for now. Regular supply is therefore continuing in the city, but the possibility of difficult conditions ahead cannot be ruled out.

Bawankule asked the people of Nagpur to stop wasting water and to use what is available sparingly. He said the Bhosale kings had also made efforts to provide water to Nagpur, and that protecting the city's lakes, water sources and public property is therefore the responsibility of every citizen. He said drain or dirty water must not be released into public water sources under any circumstances. Lakes need to be deepened and water sources conserved. In drought-like conditions every drop of water matters, so people should cooperate with the administration.

The plan is for the water now in the Totladoh reservoir to last the next 8 months. It has been stated that there is no question of releasing water from the reservoir for the rabi season. The water reservation kept for the Koradi and Khaperkheda thermal power projects has been reduced. Bawankule said both power projects are being run on sewage water, so it will be possible to plan for drinking water.

The ban on digging borewells in Nagpur district has been lifted. Necessary guidelines will be issued after the Collector's office opens. Bawankule said it was especially important to save orange and mosambi trees. A decision on lifting the borewell ban in Amravati district will also be taken. He said that alongside saving the trees, efforts to raise the groundwater level are also needed.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation is also planning several measures to save water. The focus will be on fixing leaks in the city's water distribution lines. Besides this, there is a proposal to install about 400 solar-powered systems and to raise the height of 10 hydrants. A study is also under way on whether treated sewage water can be used in place of drinking water in swimming pools and for other purposes. Such measures could help reduce pressure on drinking water.

Meanwhile, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has proposed spending Rs 900 crore in the fifth phase of cement roads to build more than 143 km of roads. It plans to send the government a proposal of Rs 165 crore for developing 75 gardens and 75 playgrounds. But given the city's growing water needs and drought-like conditions, priorities for development works may change. The option of diverting part of the sanctioned or proposed funds towards water conservation works may also have to be considered.

At present, about 740 MLD of water is drawn for Nagpur city from the Totladoh and Kanhan sources daily. Keeping water supply smooth in a city of about 30 lakh people is a major challenge for the administration. Proper planning of the water reserves, stopping leaks and sparing use of water by people have therefore become important.