Chandrashekhar Bawankule Unveils Rs1,300 Crore Water Security Plan for Nagpur
In response to water scarcity concerns, Nagpur's guardian minister announces significant projects to enhance the city's water supply.
Rs1,300 crore allocated for long-term water security projects in Nagpur.
Approval for 190 million cubic meters of water from Pench reservoir until August 2027.
Plans include a Rs900 crore barrage and a Rs400 crore regional water supply scheme.
Nagpur's guardian minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, has announced a comprehensive plan to address the city's water supply challenges, proposing projects worth Rs1,300 crore. This announcement came shortly after Mayor Neeta Thakre indicated that a water cut was unavoidable due to dwindling reservoir levels. During a review meeting held at Bachhat Bhavan, Bawankule reassured residents that there would be no immediate water cuts and outlined strategies for sustainable water management.
The proposed initiatives include a Rs900 crore barrage on the Kanhan-Kolar rivers and a Rs400 crore regional water supply scheme. The latter aims to utilize 35 million liters per day (MLD) of Nagpur's allocated Pench water, which is currently underused. Bawankule emphasized the urgency of submitting these proposals to the state government for swift approval, highlighting their potential to alleviate water shortages and meet the increasing demand from surrounding urban areas.
The Kanhan-Kolar barrage is expected to enhance the reliability of Nagpur's water sources, thereby strengthening long-term water security. Bawankule instructed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the water resources department to collaborate on the proposal and secure necessary approvals from the state cabinet. The regional water supply scheme, to be executed by the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA), aims to distribute water effectively to neighboring cities, thereby reducing pressure on the existing supply network.
In addition to the new projects, Bawankule approved NMC's request for 190 million cubic meters of water from the Pench project until August 2027, ensuring that the city has a reliable water allocation in the upcoming months. Despite earlier directives from the state government for a 10% water cut starting October 16, NMC postponed this decision, citing the festive season and the need for further assessment of reservoir levels. Mayor Thakre warned that a water cut might become necessary if conditions worsen.
During the meeting, Bawankule also called for restrictions on commercial water usage amid a drought-like situation and advocated for mandatory installation of rainwater harvesting systems to bolster conservation efforts. The meeting was attended by various officials, including Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, Mayor Neeta Thakre, and several local legislators, indicating a collaborative approach to tackling Nagpur's water crisis.
