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Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ambazari ‘Man-Made', Exempt from Wetland Tag: Collector Tells HC
Nagpur: The district administration informed the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Wednesday that the Ambazari Lake does not qualify as a notified wetland under central govt norms, defending the decision taken by the High-Powered Committee (HPC) on April 29. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The submission comes through an affidavit filed by collector Vipin Itankar in reply to objections raised by the petitioners in a PIL filed by Ramgopal Bachuka and others through counsel Tushar Mandlekar. The petitioners highlighted the devastating impact of the September 2023 floods, which caused extensive property damage and loss of life across Nagpur. Responding to specific allegations in the additional affidavit filed by 91-year-old Bachuka, the collector clarified that Ambazari Lake — though the largest in Nagpur — is a man-made reservoir built for drinking water and aquaculture. "As per MoEFCC guidelines (2020), such artificial water bodies are exempt from wetland notification," he noted, citing the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. The District Wetland Committee, formed on March 28, 2024, reviewed 71 water bodies, including Ambazari, and submitted its recommendations to the Maharashtra Environment Department on July 4, 2025. Itankar confirmed that the ministry of environment has already received scrutiny sheets and brief documentation for the same on March 26. The petitioners claimed that Ambazari was a designated wetland under ISRO's Wetland Inventory Atlas, alleging its neglect contributed to the September 2023 flooding that killed four citizens, damaged 26,612 private properties, and caused public loss worth Rs234 crore. While the collector did not confirm total losses, it acknowledged that Rs28.25 crore in ex-gratia relief was paid to 28,256 families at Rs10,000 per household. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Additionally, Rs4 lakh was paid to each of the four bereaved families. Petitioners also alleged that flood-affected zones included 143 localities, accusing the administration of issuing tenders for Rs21 crore in dam repairs without broader public consultation. The collector clarified that those tenders did not pertain to his office directly. A division bench comprising justices Nitin Sambre and Sachin Deshmukh adjourned the hearing for two weeks. The court is currently assessing the adequacy of govt responses to both disaster relief and long-term water body protection. The PIL argues for greater ecological safeguards in the wake of extreme weather events. BOX Collector's Reply on Ambazari Flood PIL - Ambazari Lake declared man-made, hence exempt from wetland notification under MoEFCC 2020 guidelines - District Wetland Committee formed on March 28, 2024; reviewed 71 water bodies, including Ambazari - Rs28.25 crore paid as relief to 28,256 families post September 2023 floods (Rs10,000 per family) - 4 deaths reported; Rs16 lakh compensation given (Rs4 lakh each) - Public losses claimed: Rs234 crore (not verified) by petitioners - Ambazari excluded from wetland list as it's used for drinking water & aquaculture
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt report biased, argue Ambazari residents, demand removal of Vivekanand statue
1 2 Nagpur: Petitioners in a PIL concerning the Ambazari flood disaster have challenged a report submitted by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune. They accused the report of legitimizing the unauthorized construction of Swami Vivekananda statue in the spill channel of Ambazari dam. In a new affidavit filed before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court, 91-year-old Ramgopal Bachuka and a group of senior citizens alleged that the CWPRS report was commissioned by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), which is under scrutiny for regulatory violations. The affidavit is part of a PIL seeking accountability for the flood on September 2023 that caused extensive damage. "The CWPRS study cannot override legislative provisions, including the Irrigation Act and Wetland Rules, under which the statue's location is in a prohibited area," petitioners argued through counsel Tushar Mandlekar. "The report is designed to justify an illegal structure rather than evaluate the flood dynamics accurately." They objected to the minutes of the High Power Committee (HPC) meeting held on April 29, which accepted the CWPRS report and declined to consider relocating the statue. The HPC, they contended, failed to address key concerns, including prior affidavits by departments such as irrigation and urban development, which acknowledged the illegality of the site. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It's Affordable and Actually Works Undo The petitioners also noted that the CWPRS admitted to discrepancies in its data sets but proceeded to prepare simulations using a peak flood discharge of only 116.10 cumecs — the design standard for a 1-in-100-year flood. In contrast, the Ambazari dam is built to handle a discharge of 320 cumecs, or a 1-in-1,000-year event, according to the National Institute of Hydrology. They alleged that the statue and associated amenities — including a pedestal, library, and public seating — obstruct the dam's tail channel, reducing water-carrying capacity and creating a bottleneck that contributed to flooding in the city. Citing a 2024 affidavit from the principal secretary of the urban development department, the petitioners reiterated that the statue lies in a zone where development is restricted by govt resolutions issued on August 2, 2013 and March 8, 2018. They also submitted reports from Hitbhav Engineers, and the Command Area Development Authority, which showed the tail channel's width had been reduced due to construction, aggravating flood risks at the confluence of the Nag and Pili rivers. The petitioners have urged the court to reject the CWPRS report and direct authorities to restore the Nag River's natural flow by removing obstructions. The next hearing is scheduled for July 9. BOX Challenge To CWPRS Ambazari Flood Study #Core Arguments: CWPRS flood study termed a 'sham report' Petitioners say it was influenced by NMC HPC meeting failed to consider statutory violations #Technical Disputes: Dam discharge capacity: 320 cumecs CWPRS simulation: 116 cumecs Tail channel narrowed by statue platform, creating bottleneck #Legal Grounds: 2013 & 2018 GRs prohibit any construction at site Principal secretary's 2024 affidavit admits location is a 'prohibited area' #Demand: Court must reject report and restore Nag River's natural flow
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ambazari Dam Escape Gate Project Hits Delays, Moves Forward After Redesign
Nagpur: Civic chief Abhijeet Chaudhari admitted before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Thursday that a delay in administrative approval for redesigned escape gates at Ambazari Dam was caused by procedural hold-ups linked to the municipal budget software system's annual upgrade. In an affidavit filed in response to a PIL filed by Ramgopal Bachuka and others regarding safety and flood management concerns at the dam, Chaudhari explained that the irrigation department initially sought administrative clearance for Rs11 crore in August 2024, which NMC granted the following month. However, the department later requested revised approval for Rs6.6 crore in February 2025 after redesigning the gates as radial structures. This second request was only cleared on April 23. Chaudhari clarified that although the proposal was received on February 12, it was delayed due to budget finalisation and temporary unavailability of the Budget Monitoring System (BMS), which only became functional again on April 21. The revised provision was uploaded on April 23, enabling prompt approval. The commissioner pointed out that the divisional commissioner had already directed the irrigation department to proceed with work even before receiving formal approval, citing the prior Rs11 crore sanction. Accordingly, the tender for the revised radial gates was floated, and bids are now scheduled to be opened on April 25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like News For Jack Nicholson, 87, He Has Been Confirmed To Be... Reportingly Undo Chaudhari reiterated that there was no hindrance from NMC's end for executing the escape gate project and affirmed compliance with court directives. Once the tender is awarded, it may take nine months for work to get completed: Affidavit In a detailed affidavit submitted before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court, the irrigation department has informed that the tender process for installing escape gates at Ambazari Dam is underway, with the financial bid set to be opened soon. The tender, once awarded, will take nine months for completion. The submission was made by executive engineer, irrigation department, Nagpur region, in response to a PIL by Ramgopal Bachuka and others regarding safety and flood management concerns at the dam. The department stated that initial works to strengthen the dam's waste weir and earthen sections were completed by March 2023 and March 2025 respectively. However, attempts to float tenders for two 4mx2.5m escape gates in September and October 2024 drew no bidders. Contractors reportedly refused to work near the Swami Vivekananda statue due to limited working space and the risk of damaging the structure, fearing liability. Following consultations with the Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI), the irrigation department revised the design and location, opting to install 4mx2m radial gates on the right side of the spillway. Technical vetting of the new design was completed in February 2025. Although administrative approval from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is pending, tenders were floated in February and March 2025. Only one bidder responded, and in line with govt norms requiring at least three bidders, a second call was issued. Additionally, the affidavit noted that a 12m x 1m emergency outlet was created on the spillway's right side in 2024 to facilitate early water release during the monsoon. This measure, effective last season, is expected to serve again in the upcoming rains.
