NMC Looks to Rejuvenate City Wells Amid Water Scarcity With summer growing increasingly severe and this year’s monsoon forecast indicating below-normal rainfall, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has initiated a citywide effort to restore long-neglected public wells. The initiative aims to position these wells as supplementary water sources to mitigate potential shortages during the dry months ahead. The civic body has already floated tenders for restoration work in several zones, including Hanuman Nagar, Nehru Nagar, Gandhibagh, Lakadganj, and Mangalwari. Officials have indicated that similar projects will be undertaken in other zones once the model code of conduct for the legislative council elections is lifted. The NMC’s efforts build on previous restoration work at key wells such as Sonegaon Amrai, Motibagh, and Nawab Kua in Gokulpeth. Over the years, many of Nagpur’s public wells have become clogged with garbage, floating debris, and heavy silt deposits—a consequence of urbanization, shifting water supply patterns, and inadequate maintenance. These issues have drastically reduced the wells’ storage capacity and usability. Despite the decline in reliance on wells due to the expansion of modern water supply systems, recurring summer shortages and changing climatic conditions have once again highlighted the need to preserve alternative water sources. The restoration process will begin with the removal of floating waste and debris, followed by dewatering operations using pumps and machinery. Civic teams will then carry out desilting to clear accumulated mud and sediment, enhancing both storage capacity and functionality. The project also includes structural repairs and safety measures.#nagpur #nagpur_municipal_corporation #gandhibagh #hanuman_nagar #nehru_nagar
Nagpur's Manual Scavenging Crisis: 65% of Drains Still Cleared by Hand Despite Legal Ban Sanitation workers in Nagpur continue to face hazardous conditions as nearly 65% of the city’s drains remain manually cleaned, defying a legal ban on manual scavenging. Civic records reveal that despite the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits unsafe manual cleaning without protective gear or mechanized support, workers are still being deployed to clear sewerage-choked nullahs. Ground visuals from areas like Gittikhadan show laborers wading through toxic sludge without safety equipment, highlighting a stark gap between policy and practice. According to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) solid waste management department report dated April 29, 227 nullahs across 10 zones were identified for cleaning. Of these, 149—over 65%—were assigned for manual labor, with 107 already cleaned manually and 50 handled using mechanized methods. Another 10 manual operations are ongoing, underscoring the persistent reliance on unsafe practices. Zones such as Gandhibagh, Dharampeth, and Satranjipura reported disproportionately high manual cleaning rates, with 46, 27, and 19 out of 51, 35, and 22 nullahs respectively requiring manual intervention. Critics argue that the NMC’s reliance on manual scavenging is a systemic failure. Activists condemned the civic body for prioritizing paperwork over worker safety, calling the practice a “violation of human rights.” Residents echoed these concerns, questioning the rationale for exposing workers to life-threatening conditions. “If machines are available, why are workers being forced into drains? It’s unsafe for them and inefficient in the long run,” said a resident from Panchsheel Nagar.#nagpur #nmc #gittikhadan #gandhibagh #dharampeth
Nagpur’s 80% Stormwater Chambers Still Clogged Even As April 30 Deadline Nears Nagpur’s pre-monsoon preparedness efforts have faced significant setbacks as nearly 80% of the city’s stormwater drain chambers remain blocked, raising alarms about potential flooding during the monsoon season. Official data as of March 25 shows that only 7,629 out of the total 48,268 stormwater chambers have been desilted, representing just 20% of the work completed. With municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar setting an April 30 deadline, zonal teams now face a daunting challenge to clear the remaining chambers within the remaining time. Stormwater chambers are essential for managing rainwater runoff, as they channel water into the drainage network. When these chambers are clogged with silt, plastic, and debris, they fail to function properly, leading to water accumulation on roads and eventual overflow into residential areas. Civic experts warn that the delayed desilting has significantly increased the risk of urban flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall events. The situation is further complicated by the city’s rapid transition from tar roads to cement concrete (CC) surfaces. While CC roads offer greater durability, they reduce natural water infiltration into the ground, exacerbating runoff and overwhelming the existing drainage infrastructure. Zonal performance data highlights stark disparities in progress. The Ashi Nagar zone has made the least progress, clearing only 180 out of 3,875 chambers. Dhantoli zone is also lagging, with just 190 of its 2,722 chambers cleared. Gandhibagh zone, which has the highest number of chambers at 14,731, has managed to clear only 3,145, leaving a massive backlog. Lakadganj zone has performed relatively better, completing around one-third of its target.#nagpur #municipal_commissioner_vipin_itankar #gandhibagh #ashi_nagar #dhantoli
NMC to spend Rs2.23 crore as 385 wells remain unclean The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to allocate Rs2.23 crore for cleaning public wells, despite a significant portion of the city’s 860 wells remaining contaminated. Internal documents obtained by The Times of India reveal a persistent gap between spending and results, with nearly 45% of wells—385 in total—still unclean after repeated cleaning efforts. The 2025–26 budget proposal plans to address 353 wells, leaving many unaccounted for. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) had previously warned that leaking underground sewer lines were contaminating well water, yet the civic body lacks a targeted plan to tackle the root cause, relying instead on periodic cleaning that fails to resolve pollution sources. Spending patterns highlight inefficiencies. NMC allocated Rs73.25 lakh for well cleaning in 2024 and Rs51.56 lakh in 2025, but the 2026 budget nearly doubles this to Rs2.23 crore. Zone-wise data underscores planning gaps. For example, Gandhibagh, which has 126 wells, marked eight as "clean" while 91 were cleaned between 2022 and 2024. The 2026 plan proposes cleaning only 37 wells in the zone, indicating a cycle of repeated efforts without addressing neglected wells. Similar inconsistencies are evident in other areas, such as Ashi Nagar, where 84 wells were cleaned in 2023 and 26 in 2025, yet the 2026 proposal includes cleaning 78 wells. This duplication and weak monitoring suggest a lack of prioritization and oversight. The report also notes the use of guppy fish in select wells in Dhantoli, Lakadganj, and Ashi Nagar to curb mosquito breeding. However, there is no clarity on whether this measure has improved water quality, particularly in wells affected by sewage contamination.#the_times_of_india #nagpur_municipal_corporation #gandhibagh #ashi_nagar
Want To Set Up Stalls On Footpaths? Pay Rs700 Rent Daily, & It’s All Yours Nagpur: Despite a recent exposé revealing footpaths being illegally rented out for Rs6,000 per month, residents and small traders in Gandhibagh allege the practice has evolved into a highly organized extortion network. Vendors operating in the area now reportedly pay daily rent ranging from Rs500 to Rs700 to set up stalls on public roads and footpaths, with additional deposits of Rs30,000 to Rs50,000 demanded upfront. Those who refuse to comply face threats of violence, including physical harm or forced removal. The situation has worsened near key locations such as the post office and ATM kiosks, where footpaths are nearly inaccessible. A juice stall in Itwari, for instance, pays Rs1,500 daily to operate on a footpath, while residents claim similar issues plague ATM areas, blocking public access. Locals have complained to bank managers about blocked entrances, but no action has been taken. They argue that footpaths, which belong to the municipal corporation, are now effectively controlled by private groups collecting money. Residents warn that the problem is escalating into a citywide crisis. Five to seven local groups are reportedly operating separate networks, charging daily cash to hawkers who work until 1 am. Fights are said to occur almost daily, with fears that Gandhibagh could mirror the encroachment chaos seen on Sitabuldi main road. The issue is no longer confined to one area, with similar complaints emerging from Mahal, Sadar, Sakkardara, Dharampeth, Gokulpeth, and Indora. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) enforcement department, which includes a centralised squad and zonal teams, has failed to address the problem effectively.#mahal #nagpur_municipal_corporation #gandhibagh #sitabuldi_main_road #sadarpeth
