Two water schemes worth Rs 1,300 crore proposed for Nagpur and neighbouring towns

A long-term solution may be at hand for the growing water shortage in Nagpur and nearby towns, with two schemes costing a total of Rs 1,300 crore proposed. Nagpur, October 31, 2026.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) and the Water Resources Department to prepare detailed proposals immediately and send them to the state government. He gave the directions at a review meeting on Nagpur's water situation held at Niyojan Bhavan on Saturday.

The first proposal is for a Kanhan-Kolar barrage, with an estimated cost of Rs 900 crore. The second is an NMRDA water supply scheme costing Rs 400 crore. It aims to use the additional 35 MLD of water that Nagpur is to receive from the Pench reservoir.

Bawankule said a sustainable water system was essential given the rising demand in Nagpur and nearby urban areas. He asked NMC and Water Resources Department officials to jointly prepare the proposal for a barrage on the Kanhan-Kolar river system. It is hoped this will give Nagpur another sustainable source of water. He asked for the proposal to be submitted without delay so that it could be placed before the state Cabinet for approval.

According to officials, about 35 million litres per day (MLD) of water from Nagpur's share in the Pench reservoir remains unused. Bawankule asked the NMRDA to draw up a scheme under which this water could meet the needs of surrounding urban areas.

At the meeting, NMC Commissioner Dr Vipin presented the city's Water Conservation and Water Saving Campaign 2026. Under it, leaks in the distribution network will be found and repaired immediately to reduce wastage. Measures to promote rainwater harvesting are also being considered.

Nagpur has about 860 public wells. The NMC plans to install solar-powered dual pumping systems on 400 of them with the help of the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA). The work is estimated to cost Rs 16 crore and is expected to give the city an additional 20 MLD of water a day.

To reduce the use of drinking water for non-essential purposes, the NMC will arrange supply of treated wastewater by tanker. Hydrant points will be set up at the city's 10 sewage treatment plants (STPs) so that this water can be delivered to public gardens and roadside trees.

The administration surveyed 293 vehicle washing centres. Of these, 75 were found using municipal tap water and have been served notices. They have been told to use water from another source instead of potable water. The commissioner also told the meeting that action has begun against those using municipal drinking water to wash cars.

Expressing concern over the possibility of poor rainfall and drought-like conditions, Bawankule told officials to ensure judicious use of water across the city. He called for strict implementation of rainwater harvesting systems and asked the administration to bring in restrictions on water consumption for commercial purposes. He said saving water must be made a priority so that the city's existing sources are not put under needless strain.

Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal, Mayor Neeta Thakre, MP Maya Tai Ivnate and MLAs Rajiv Poddar, Sanjay Bhende, Krishna Khopde and Praveen Datke were present at the meeting. Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, NMC Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare, ruling party leader Narendra (Balya) Borkar, NMC Commissioner Dr Vipin, NIT Chairman Sanjay Meena and senior officials of the NMRDA and the Water Resources Department also attended.