Water crisis, polluted stretch of Nag River double whammy for Subhan Nagar

Time of India

3 days ago

Nagpur: The residents of Subhan Nagar and Sai Nagar in Pardi are grappling with a dual crisis — chronic water shortage and the foul smell from the filth along the Nag River flowing close by.
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Residents claimed they are receiving water for barely half an hour each day, that too contaminated with algae and dust, but their complaints to civic authorities have fallen on deaf ears.
A visit to the area revealed that there is no retaining wall along the Nag River flowing along the localities. In absence of a retaining wall, an internal road ending abruptly at the river bank has become a safety hazard for both motorists and pedestrians.
While there is minimal water in the river stretch during summers, the stagnant pools and accumulated waste along its banks give out an unbearable stench.
Saksham Madavi, who runs a grocery store adjacent to the river bank, said, "Every day we are forced to live with this foul smell. The water crisis is adding to our frustration. We get water for barely 30 minutes, and most of the time it's unfit for use. Complaints to the authorities have yielded no results."
Echoing the concerns, Umesh Yadav, who runs a tea stall near the river, said. "On one hand, they claim Nagpur is becoming a Smart City. On the other hand, look at the condition here. There's no drinking water, the river stinks, and the road ends right into the filth."
Speaking to TOI, Sanjay Mate, executive engineer of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) Lakadganj Zone, said, "The Nag River has no retaining wall at several locations, not just in Subhan Nagar or Sai Nagar.
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To construct new retaining walls for the entire stretch of the river running through the city would require nearly Rs2,000 crore. This is not financially sustainable for NMC on its own."
Mate further said that several proposals have been submitted to the state govt requesting funds under urban development schemes.
Local activists are also planning to escalate the matter to higher authorities, warning that without intervention, the situation could spiral into a health and safety emergency.