Nagpur. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Smart and Sustainable Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) inaugurated first of its kind ‘IoT’ based ground water recharge systems through rainwater harvesting at two Nagpur Municipal Corporation schools. The pilot projects are part of the larger European Commission funded ‘URBAN LEDS II’ project, implemented in collaboration with ICLEI-South Asia in Nagpur.
NSSCDCL and ICLEI-SA teams undertook scientific investigations to identify possible groundwater recharge zones in the city, in light of increased water demand and the critical need to improve the region’s groundwater table. Two NMC owned schools, Saint Kabir and Bharat Nagar School, were selected to develop groundwater recharge through rainwater harvesting with a combined capacity of around 8 lakhs liters per year.
Buveneswari S, CEO NSSCDCL said that, the feature of remote monitoring of groundwater level and water quality utilizing IoT is an innovative and unique part of the project. Critical parameters such as pH, TDS, electrical conductivity, and ground water level will be monitored in real-time to keep an eye on the entire system performance.
Based on the initial technical study and pilot projects, a city-wide detailed plan is being developed. NMC’s vision is to uptake ground water recharge projects across the city, through rainwater harvesting, scientifically using appropriate designs and methodologies.
While inaugurating the systems, Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari praised the efforts taken by NMC and Nagpur Smart City, saying it is necessary to save water for the better tomorrow. NMC and Smart City will undertake other rain water harvesting projects to recharge the ground water for the future. NMC also reusing and recycling the waste water and supplying to the power plant.
Shri. Krishnaji Khopde, MLA of Nagpur East, along with Lakadganj Zone Chairperson Manisha Atkare, former Standing Committee Chairman Pradeep Pohane, corporator Rajkumar Sahu, Deepak Wadibhasme were present. Dr. Pranita Umredkar, the Incharge General Manager of the Environment Division, discusses about the importance of rainwater harvesting and the site selection process in her introductory remarks. Shardul A. Venegurkar, Assistant Manager, ICLEI-SA, demonstrated the system.
The inauguration and demo were attended by Education Officer Mrs. Priti Mishrikotkar, NSSCDCL officers Neha Jha CFO , Rajesh Dufare, GM Mobility, Manish Soni PRO Rahul Pande Chief Planner, Dr. Sheel Ghule GM e-Governance and Dr. Parag Armal.
