Two Rs 1,300 crore water schemes proposed for Nagpur; solar pumps for 400 wells

Two major water supply schemes worth Rs 1,300 crore have been proposed to meet the future water needs of Nagpur and the fast-growing towns around it. The administration is making a full effort to tackle the water crisis in Nagpur district of Vidarbha, and the schemes are part of that.

The first scheme is a barrage on the Kanhan-Kolar river, estimated to cost about Rs 900 crore. The second, worth Rs 400 crore, is from the NMRDA. It will use the 35 MLD of surplus water remaining in the Pench dam to supply nearby towns.

Guardian Minister and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule held a meeting of senior officials at the Planning Bhavan on Saturday to review measures to deal with the drinking water crisis. At the meeting he directed the municipal corporation, the NMRDA and the Water Resources Department to prepare proposals for both schemes and send them to the state government without delay.

Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal, Mayor Neeta Thakre, MP Maya Ivnate, and MLAs Rajiv Poddar, Sanjay Bhende, Krishna Khopde and Praveen Datke were present. Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, Standing Committee chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare, ruling party leader Balya Borkar, Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar and NIT chairman Sanjay Meena were also there, along with other public representatives and officials of the departments concerned.

Bawankule said the demand for water in Nagpur and nearby towns is rising fast with the growing population. To avoid a water crisis in future, it is essential to create permanent water sources. For this reason, the proposal for a barrage on the Kanhan-Kolar river has been asked to be submitted afresh. Efforts will be made to get the proposal approved by the state Cabinet.

A scheme has also been drawn up to reuse treated wastewater in the city. Under it, hydrants will be installed at 10 sewage treatment plants (STPs). Water will be supplied from there by tanker for irrigating gardens and roadside trees and plants.

Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar gave a presentation at the meeting on the 2026 water saving and conservation campaign. He said immediate steps are being taken to stop water leakage. Rainwater harvesting will also be promoted. To make maximum use of the city's public wells, small water supply schemes will be started.

Nagpur has 860 public wells in all. Solar-powered dual pumping systems will be installed on 400 of them. This will cost about Rs 16 crore, and the aim is to provide 20 MLD of water daily.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation surveyed 293 vehicle washing centres in the city. Of these, 75 were found using potable tap water and have been issued notices. They have been told to use water from other sources instead of drinking water. According to the commissioner, action is also being taken to disconnect the connections of those who use municipal tap water to wash cars.