NMC Requests State Funding for ₹952 Crore Water Project
Nagpur Municipal Corporation seeks direct state support for the Kanhan-Kolar barrage to address future water needs.
NMC has requested ₹952 crore for the Kanhan-Kolar barrage project.
The project aims to secure Nagpur's water supply until 2056.
Current financial constraints hinder NMC's ability to raise loans.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has formally requested direct funding from the state urban development department for the Kanhan-Kolar barrage project, estimated at ₹952 crore. This appeal comes as NMC faces significant financial liabilities and struggles to secure additional loans. Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar sent a letter to the additional chief secretary of the urban development department on Tuesday, urging for state funds rather than relying on loans backed by government guarantees.
This request follows directions from Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule during a water scarcity review meeting held on October 31. Itankar highlighted that the irrigation department has prepared a detailed estimate for the barrage and submitted it for administrative approval from the planning and finance departments. The proposed barrage is crucial for meeting Nagpur's increasing water demands, projected to reach approximately 400 million cubic meters (MCM) by 2056.
The Kanhan-Kolar barrage is designed to provide 179.60 MCM of water annually through various supply schemes, including Kanhan, Kolar-Kanhan, and Rohna. Itankar emphasized that NMC's current financial situation, compounded by existing loan and bond obligations, makes it challenging to undertake further borrowing. He referenced previous instructions from the Chief Minister for NMC to finance the project through loans against state guarantees.
During the meeting on October 31, Bawankule specifically instructed officials to seek funding from the urban development department, taking into account NMC's financial constraints. The request for full project funding has now been officially submitted to the state government, marking a significant step towards securing the necessary resources for this vital infrastructure.
The Kanhan barrage, located in Kamptee tehsil, is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Nagpur's water security for the next three decades. With a live storage capacity of 67.81 MCM, the project is anticipated to significantly bolster the city's water supply capabilities. The irrigation department is set to oversee the execution of the project, which now awaits the state government's decision on funding and administrative approval.
