Nagpur Hoteliers Association Plans Meeting on Water Scarcity Ahead of Festive Season
With the festive season approaching, Nagpur's hoteliers are concerned about water shortages and are convening to strategize solutions.
Nagpur's water levels are at half the five-year average, raising concerns for hoteliers.
The Nagpur Residential Hotels Association is organizing a meeting to address water management strategies.
Hoteliers are already implementing water conservation measures but face challenges with guest consumption.
As the festive season approaches, the Nagpur Residential Hotels Association (NRHA) is set to hold a meeting to address the pressing issue of water scarcity affecting the hospitality sector. This concern intensifies with the upcoming Winter Session of the state legislature in December, which typically sees a spike in hotel bookings and, consequently, water demand. NRHA president Tejinder Singh Renu highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the state's mandated water cut, effective this month, could coincide with the busy season, exacerbating the crisis.
The recent groundwater survey reveals alarming statistics, showing that Nagpur's water levels are currently at just half of the five-year average. This data has prompted the NRHA to gather hoteliers to discuss the directives from authorities regarding water usage and to formulate a plan for managing the anticipated shortage. Renu stated, "We are collecting all directives issued by authorities related to water cuts. At the meeting, we will discuss them in detail and consider steps to be taken from our side."
In response to the ongoing crisis, hotels in Nagpur have already begun implementing various water conservation strategies, such as recycling water and utilizing alternative sources for supply. Renu mentioned that many establishments rely on bottled or reverse osmosis (RO) water for drinking, while secondary borewells or wells are used for other purposes. However, he cautioned that if these sources were to run dry, hotels would have to depend on purchased water, which poses its own challenges, particularly for drinking needs.
The hoteliers face additional difficulties in managing water consumption among guests. Renu pointed out that while hotels can encourage responsible water use, they have limited control over individual consumption habits. He expressed frustration over the ineffectiveness of requests displayed in washrooms, stating, "Whatever you write on the walls of the washroom requesting the customer to use minimum water, it is usually not followed. The customer thinks, I have paid, so it is your duty to supply me the water I need."
Looking ahead, Renu emphasized the need for a balanced approach to the water crisis, questioning whether mere restrictions would suffice. He called on the government to prioritize augmenting water supply rather than solely imposing limitations. With predictions of continued low rainfall due to El Nino, he urged for proactive measures to ensure a sustainable water supply for the future.
