Nagpur district has begun an eight-month preparedness drive against a possible water shortage, with the administration ordering the restoration of 37 defunct borewells and 36 wells, repairs to leaking pipelines and faster completion of pending water-supply projects across urban local bodies.
District collector Kumar Ashirwad reviewed water-supply preparedness in Yerkheda, Bhiwapur, Mouda, Mahadula and Ramtek, and instructed officials to identify vulnerable areas and arrange alternative water sources before shortages intensify. The review was conducted amid concerns over declining water reserves across the district.
The administration has so far assessed preparedness in 16 of Nagpur district’s 29 municipal councils and nagar panchayats. Reviews of the remaining 13 local bodies are scheduled for October 28 and 29, according to officials.
Officials have been asked to submit proposals to repair 17 borewells and four wells. They have also been directed to explore the acquisition of private wells where necessary and examine the possibility of constructing a temporary check dam across a river to improve local water availability. Municipal bodies supplying water on alternate days have been asked to explore whether regular supply can be arranged through Kamptee Municipal Council.
The collector ordered immediate repairs to leaking pipelines and defunct supply systems, particularly in Yerkheda, Mahadula and Mouda. The administration has also prioritised solar-powered mini water-supply schemes in scarcity-prone wards, repairs to water-treatment plants and new distribution networks in areas that do not have piped supply.
Ramtek has been given a specific set of interventions. Its municipal council has been directed to plan repairs to 32 wells and restore 20 defunct borewells. The collector also ordered the seizure of pumps that are affecting regular water distribution and asked officials to consider adding two water-storage tanks if required.
The administration has set November 30 as the deadline for completing new water-distribution works in Ramtek’s wards 2 and 10, subject to approval of rates and the issue of work orders. All new water-supply projects have been ordered to be completed by December 31. Urban bodies have additionally been instructed to issue annual maintenance and repair work orders without delay.
Contractors who delay crucial works could face notices under the Disaster Management Act, the administration said. Officials were also told to prioritise proposals under the district annual plan and the district mineral development fund, with implementation planned in three phases. The remaining local-body reviews and the completion of the scheduled works will determine how quickly the district can expand its available water sources and address vulnerable supply networks.
