NMC Unveils Citywide Drainage Overhaul Plan Before HC Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has submitted an affidavit to the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, defending its approach to urban flooding and outlining a comprehensive plan to modernize the city’s stormwater drainage system. The affidavit, filed during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Janmanch, addresses concerns over recurring waterlogging during heavy rainfall. The civic body stated that while severe rain on July 28 caused temporary water accumulation in isolated areas, the situation had “substantially normalised within approximately one to two hours.” The corporation emphasized that isolated waterlogging incidents during extreme weather cannot be construed as systemic failure. The NMC’s response includes a long-term, watershed-based drainage strategy covering the entire city. This plan involves strengthening stormwater infrastructure through reinforced concrete (RCC) box drains, pipelines, culverts, cross-drainage structures, retaining walls, chambers, and other civil works. These measures are based on detailed hydrological and engineering assessments. The corporation has also proposed appointing a specialized technical consultant to oversee the planning, design, tendering, and execution of the drainage network, with the proposal currently pending approval from the Standing Committee. In addition to the drainage overhaul, the NMC highlighted ongoing sewerage projects aimed at reducing pressure on rivers during heavy rainfall. Under the Amrut 2.0 initiative, approximately 537 kilometers of sewer network is being laid in the southern Pora river catchment, with completion expected by June 2028.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_municipal_corporation #janmanch #amrut_2_0 #jica
