Nagpur’s water supply will be reviewed before the Maharashtra legislature’s winter session after Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said officials would be asked to prepare a conservation plan and report on the city’s water stock. The move comes as all talukas in Nagpur district have been declared drought-hit under Trigger-1 and residents fear that the arrival of about 20,000 people could put additional pressure on the municipal water network.
The winter session is scheduled to begin on December 7, while support staff and security personnel are expected to start arriving around 10 days earlier. The session generally lasts about two weeks, although it can continue for longer. Narwekar told the Times of India that preventing additional water cuts for city residents would be a priority during the session.
“We understand the gravity of the situation, and every effort will be made to ensure the winter session does not inconvenience citizens. I will seek a report from officials on Nagpur’s water stock and ways to conserve water during our stay there. Our priority is clear: citizens’ access to water must not be affected,” he said.
Nagpur requires around 740 million litres of water per day. Demand typically rises during the winter session, when legislators, government employees, drivers, support workers and security personnel arrive in the city. The Public Works Department prepares for an official influx of approximately 15,000 people, including legislators, bureaucrats, drivers, peons and other support staff. A further 5,000 people, including protesters, political party workers and others, are also expected to travel to Nagpur during the session.
The additional demand will extend beyond the legislature complex. December is a peak month for the hospitality sector, with hotels and small lodges often reporting full occupancy. However, no official figures were available on the volume of additional water consumed during the session.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation and district administration have already imposed curbs on the misuse of potable water because of the drought situation. The Public Works Department is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted supply from the civic body to the legislature building, temporary offices and residential accommodation for government staff. It operates more than 100 overhead tanks that distribute water to buildings across the city.
In 2023, the department installed automated pumps to reduce tank overflows. The system switches on pumps when water levels fall to 25% and shuts them off automatically before the tanks reach full capacity. The proposed report is expected to examine Nagpur’s available water stock and conservation measures that can be implemented during the session.
The next administrative step is for officials to submit the water-supply and conservation report before the winter session begins, allowing authorities to plan supplies for the legislature complex and associated accommodation without affecting residents’ access to water.
