Nagpur experienced a significant water supply disruption following a power failure at the Navegaon Khairy Raw Water Pumping Station. This incident occurred during the Mahalaxmi and Ganeshotsav festivities, causing inconvenience for many residents. The outage highlights the vulnerability of essential services during peak demand periods.
Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd ( MSEDCL ) interrupted power supply to the station around 6.30pm on Friday, according to Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Orange City Water Limited (OCW). Though electricity was restored at 9.55pm, raw water pumping resumed only around 11.30pm after a technical issue developed following the restoration. INFOBOX | PENCH WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION Affected: Nearly 70% of Nagpur Pumping station: Navegaon Khairy Raw Water Pumping Station First power cut: 6.30pm, Sept 18 Power restored: 9.55pm Pumping resumed: 11.30pm Clear-water pumping resumed: Around midnight Second power cut: 5.15am, Sept 19 Power restored: 9.30am Clear-water pumping resumed: 10.30am Total disruption: Around 10 hours Affected zones: Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth, Dhantoli, Gandhibagh, Mangalwari and Hanuman Nagar Partially affected: Nehru Nagar, Sataranjipura and Ashi Nagar Normal supply: Lakadganj Pench systems: Pench-I, II, III and IV WTPs Pench-II & III supply: Around 540 MLD Festival impact: Mahalaxmi Puja and Ganapati mandal maha prasad programmes affected 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.
NMC-OCW officials said they were prioritising supply to affected areas and working to restore normal water supply during the evening cycle. Officials said the repeated power failures had raised concerns over the reliability of electricity supply to the critical raw-water pumping infrastructure, particularly during the ongoing festival season. Download the TOI App.
Clear-water pumping from the Pench-I, II, III and IV water treatment plants resumed around midnight and continued for nearly five hours before another power failure occurred at about 5.15am on Saturday. Electricity was restored at 9.30am, following which clear-water pumping restarted around 10.30am. Interruptions and delays in restarting the system led to nearly 10 hours of disruption during a critical water-supply cycle from Friday night to Saturday morning, disrupting morning water supply in several areas. Pench-II and III, along with associated schemes, supply around 540 MLD, with the disruption affecting nearly 70% of the city’s water-supply network.
The Pench-I, II, III and IV systems form a major component of Nagpur’s water network. The disruption also affected festive arrangements. The uncertainty over water availability added to the difficulties faced by residents and organisers.
Several households had organised Mahalaxmi Puja and prasad distribution on Friday, while Ganapati mandals have scheduled maha prasad programmes during the festival.