NMC Stormwater Plan Faces Delays as Panel Demands Expert Input Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) proposal to develop a comprehensive stormwater drainage and urban flood management plan has been delayed after the Standing Committee returned the Rs5.03-crore proposal for further review. The committee requested the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department to submit the plan with more detailed technical inputs, citing concerns over the city’s recurring flooding and the pace of corrective measures since the devastating 2023 floods. Standing Committee chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare directed officials to resubmit the proposal with complete details, emphasizing the need for a thorough analysis of the city’s flood vulnerabilities. Chief Engineer Leena Upadhey was absent from the meeting due to a court hearing, while PHE superintending engineer Shweta Banerjee arrived late. The delay has sparked criticism from Congress corporator Abhijit Jha, who questioned the reliance on a private consultant for the project. Jha urged the NMC to involve premier technical institutions such as VNIT Nagpur, NEERI, CWPRS Pune, IIT Bombay, and COEP to ensure a scientific and long-term approach to flood management. He argued that the committee should first assess what actions NMC has taken since the 2023 floods, what deficiencies have been addressed, and how prepared the city is for similar rainfall events. Jha highlighted the need for a holistic study that considers catchments, natural nullahs, urbanization patterns, and drainage linkages in adjoining areas. He emphasized that flood management cannot be confined to municipal boundaries, as water flows through natural drainage channels and catchment areas beyond NMC’s jurisdiction.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #shivani_dani_wakhare #abhijit_jha #public_health_engineering #standing_committee
VIP Roads Of Civil Lines Fall Prey To Poor Restoration Nagpur: Nearly two years after the civic administration intensified efforts to penalize contractors for subpar road restoration following pipeline works, the issue has resurfaced in the city’s Civil Lines locality. This area, known for its high-profile status as a VVIP zone housing government colonies and frequent traffic of senior officials, has seen roads left in disrepair after projects under the Amrut scheme. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and loose gravel have turned key stretches into accident-prone zones, particularly as the monsoon season approaches. The affected roads include areas such as Ahimsa Square to Japanese Garden Square, Ravi Nagar Government Colony, WCL Square to Mother Dairy, and Rifle Road. Corporator Abhijit Jha highlighted that contractors had merely dumped gravel and abandoned sites without proper resurfacing, leaving roads hazardous for commuters. The situation has drawn attention due to repeated warnings from former municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, who in June 2024 had ordered penalties against agencies failing to restore roads to standard. His directives followed complaints and an accident involving a two-wheeler rider skidding on a poorly restored stretch. Residents and citizens have also blamed the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department for its role in the oversight. Despite a history of complaints, penalties, and directives from the municipal administration, the PHE department has allegedly failed to ensure compliance with civic norms. During pre-monsoon showers, water has accumulated in dug-up patches, increasing the risk of skidding, especially for two-wheeler riders. Senior citizens, women, and pedestrians face heightened dangers as navigating damaged roads becomes increasingly difficult.#monsoon_season #civil_lines #abhijit_jha #amrut_scheme #public_health_engineering
