Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declares that the measures taken by Nagpur Municipal Corporation in improving water distribution system will be implemented in other parts of Maharashtra as well.
Nagpur: “In today’s appalling situation, water is most precious substance and vital part of life. Campaign to conserve and preserve the important stuff is must. Every household should accord topmost priority in rainwater harvesting. The water purification and regular water supply to Nagpurians has been achieved. This successful project of Nagpur will be implemented across the country as Role Model,” asserted the Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu while dedicating Pench Phase-4 Water Supply Project of Nagpur Municipal Corporation on Saturday (March 28).
The dedication ceremony of ambitious Nagpur City Augmented Water Supply Scheme Pench Phase-4, held in the premises of Water Purification Station on Godhni Bhonsala Military School Road, Nagpur, was presided over Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while Union Minister for Surface Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari graced the function as chief guide. Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Mayor Pravin Datke were special guests.
Naidu further said that the Nagpur MP and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is studious representative of people and coins newer and newer ideas in important meetings. He is bringing revolutionary changes across the country through his ministry. Nation’s people want ‘Ram Rajya’ and today is Ram Navmi. Maharashtra’s contribution in nation’s progress is significant one. Water can be made worth drinking by recycling process. If firm measures are not initiated in water front the situation will be perilous in future with terrible effects. A thought must be given to manage leaking, sewage and wastage of water today itself to make tomorrow better, advised Naidu.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his address, declared that the measures taken by Nagpur Municipal Corporation in improving water distribution system will be implemented in other parts of Maharashtra as well. “With the creation of Nagpur Metro Region there will be need of water in gigantic proportions. The growing population requires 1400 MLD of water. But at present only 700 MLD of water is available. The NMC had prepared a scheme with the help of Madhya Pradesh Government to meet the additional requirement of 700 MLD of water by the end of 2062. Now, the need is to pursue the scheme in order to reap the fruits in future,” said Fadnavis.
“The State Government has made a provision of Rs 1000 crore in its Budget for completing the ongoing schemes being implemented under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM),” added the Chief Minister.
Nitin Gadkari, delivering his address on the occasion, said, “Nagpur is the only city in entire country supplying water to citizens for 24 hours. Though some wards are receiving 24-hour water supply at present the entire city will get it in the coming six months,” assured Gadkari. He further said that the Pench Phase-4 Water Supply Scheme has been prepared by using the best technology in the world. However, since the water is being supply through canals, a lot of water was getting wasted by way of leakage and evaporation. But that problem has been overcome by supplying the water through pipelines and thus water is being saved in larger proportions,” claimed Gadkari.
At the outset, Mayor Pravin Datke made the introductory speech and welcomed the guests. The officials and contractors who completed the project were felicitated at the hands of Chief Minister Fadnavis. The programme was conducted by Renuka Deshkar.
Other prominent personalities present on the occasion include MP Krupal Tumane, ZP President Nisha Savarkar, MLAs Sudhakar Deshmukh, Krishna Khopde, Dr Milind Mane, Vikas Kumbhare, Sameer Meghe, Sudhakar Kohale, MLCs Anil Sole, Prakash Gajbhiye, Deputy Mayor Munna Pokulwar, Chairman of Standing Committee Ramesh Shingare, Ruling Party Leader Dayashankar Tiwari, BJP Rural President Dr Rajiv Potdar, NIT Chairman Shyam Wardhane, Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, District Collector Abhishek Krishna, DSP Dr Arti Singh and a large number of citizens.
It is pertinent to recall that the blueprint for the Pench Phase-4 project was prepared in 2008 and the cost was estimated at Rs 391 crore. On the same basis, Central and State Government provided 50 percent and 20 percent fund respectively. The work started in 2009 and was supposed to be completed in 2012 but for a lot of problems. The work got halted for a considerable time. But slowly and steadily the hurdles were removed but the estimated cost touched Rs 610 crore. Construction of 20 out of 24 water tanks have been completed. Following is details of Pench-4 Project:
• Pench-4 (Part-I): A pipeline of 2300 mm diameter has been laid in 27.3 km distance from Pench Reservoir to Mahadula. Intake Well, Pumping House, Bridges on Kanhan and Kolar Rivers have been constructed.
• Pench-4 (Part-II): A pipeline of 2300 mm diameter has been laid in 27.3 km distance from Mahadula to Godhni. A 115 MLD Water Purification Station has been constructed in Godhni.
• Pench-4 (Part-III): 24 water tanks have been built in Nagpur out of which 20 are completed. Work of laying feeder mains at the tanks have been done.
• Pench-4 (Part-IV): Work of laying pipeline from new tanks for distribution of water is being done.
