Nagpur Residents Demand Action on Water Crisis and Civic Woes in Ashi Nagar Zone
Residents of Thawre Colony, Maya Nagar, and nearby localities under the Ashi Nagar zone of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) are raising serious concerns about their drinking water. They allege contamination in the water supply and a drastic drop in availability over the last few months. This issue has become a top priority for the community, who want their newly elected representatives to address it once elections conclude.
Water Supply Problems Escalate
According to local residents, the area previously received water twice each day. Authorities attempted to fix the problem on several occasions, but the issues kept returning. After repeated complaints and vocal protests from the community, the water supply was reduced to only once a day instead of finding a permanent solution. Even during this limited supply, water pressure remains very low, leaving many households without adequate water.
NMC water works senior officials acknowledged that water supply has been affected in the area. They cited ongoing inter-linking and the new laying of pipelines as the primary reasons. Officials stated that supply will improve in the coming days, with many water works currently underway. They also mentioned that residents are now getting water supply for two hours a day, compared to one hour each in the morning and evening earlier.
Residents Feel Punished for Speaking Out
Residents claim that rather than addressing the contamination issue, the administration chose to punish those who spoke up. This has forced families to rely on stored or purchased water, creating additional financial and logistical burdens. The crisis has severely affected women, children, senior citizens, and patients. There is a growing fear of a rise in water-borne and skin diseases due to unsafe and irregular water supply.
Rajiv Khobragade, who has repeatedly written to the NMC, emphasized the gravity of the situation. He stated, "Clean drinking water is not a favour; it is a constitutional right. If citizens are punished for raising genuine complaints, it is administrative oppression. Silencing people by cutting their water is an attack on democracy and human dignity, and if not corrected immediately, we will challenge it through all legal means."
Multiple Civic Issues Plague the Area
Along with the water crisis, several other civic problems continue to affect the area. These issues have compounded the difficulties faced by residents, making daily life increasingly challenging.
- Old gutter lines frequently choke during the monsoon, causing sewage overflow in residential lanes.
- Garbage collection is irregular, with waste collection vehicles often skipping daily visits.
- Sweeping and street cleaning are not carried out regularly.
- Public gardens remain neglected, and broken play equipment has not been repaired.
- Basic civic infrastructure lies unattended for months.
Interactions with municipal officials revealed that severe staff shortages make it difficult for them to carry out regular maintenance and cleaning work. In an era of massive unemployment, NMC's failure to recruit adequate staff is seen as unjustifiable. This not only worsens unemployment but also causes citizens to suffer due to the breakdown of essential municipal services.
Community and NGO Response
NGO The Platform and Thawre Colony Sangharsh Samiti have taken action by submitting a memorandum to key officials. They addressed the municipal commissioner, assistant commissioner of Ashi Nagar Zone, and OCW deputy engineer. Their demands include:
- Restoration of twice-daily water supply.
- Proper water pressure.
- Independent testing of water quality.
- Temporary relief measures.
- Recruitment of staff.
- Urgent repairs to public gardens and civic infrastructure.
Officials informed that a new pipeline from Indora to Bhim Chowk was proposed and may take several months to complete. Residents, however, remain skeptical and demand immediate action to alleviate their suffering.
The situation in Nagpur's Ashi Nagar zone highlights a broader issue of civic neglect and administrative inefficiency. As residents await solutions, their daily struggles with water scarcity and poor infrastructure continue unabated.
