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Nagpur: Using treated drinking water to wash vehicles, clean roads, water gardens or carry out construction activities may attract a fine of up to Rs 5,000 as Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) steps up water conservation measures amid fears of an acute water shortage in the coming months. Reservoirs supplying the city are currently holding only 746 million cubic metres of water, or 58% of their capacity, following inadequate rainfall. Ruling party leader Narendra Borkar said NMC would continue supplying 740 MLD for now. As part of the six-point water conservation programme, NMC plans to clean 400 public wells and install solar-powered pumps with assistance from the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA). NMC plans to regularise 8,000 illegal water connections within a month through a special drive. Thakre also directed the waterworks department to ensure that pipeline leakages are attended to within 72 hours. NMC’S SIX-POINT WATER CONSERVATION PLAN 400 public wells: Cleaning and installation of solar-powered pumps to supply water for non-potable uses Groundwater recharge: New recharge structures and rejuvenation of existing wells and borewells Wastewater reuse: Decentralised STPs to supply treated water for gardens, road medians and construction Rs5,000 fine: Proposed penalty per violation for using drinking water to wash vehicles or roads, water gardens or carry out construction 72-hour deadline: Pipeline leaks must be repaired within 72 hours 8,000 illegal connections: Target to regularise connections within a month; unauthorised connections may be disconnected Water meters: Installation planned after regularisation; tampering or removal may invite police cases You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news.
“The focus will be on reducing dependence on reservoir water and curbing wastage,” Mayor Neeta Thakre said after chairing a review meeting. Zonal assistant commissioners and the Nuisance Detection Squad (NDS) will be responsible for enforcing penalties against the misuse of potable water. Mini water supply schemes will also be developed to provide water for non-potable uses, including vehicle washing and gardening. The civic body will develop groundwater recharge structures under the guidance of the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA) and explore the rejuvenation of existing open wells and borewells. Decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) are also proposed at suitable locations to supply treated wastewater for gardens, road median plantations and construction activities. Camps will be organised at zonal offices to facilitate the process, while connections that remain unauthorised will be disconnected. An FIR may be lodged in cases of meter tampering or removal. The meeting was attended by deputy mayor Leela Hathibed, standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare, waterworks committee chairperson Divya Dhurde, additional municipal commissioners Muruganantham M and Milind Meshram, and superintending engineer Shweta Banerjee, among others. Download the TOI App.