The Times of India 23.04.2013
NMC proposes beautification of 16 spots along Nag River
(NMC) is implemented soon. The NMC plans to develop the entire 17.68km
stretch of the river at the cost of Rs 126.30 crore by taking up
conservation and beautification projects at 16 locations. Futala nullah,
tributary of Nag River, has been also included in the rejuvenation plan
with development of six spots along its stretch.
However, the
rejuvenation plan has excluded the stretch of the river from its origin
at hillocks near Lava village to Ambazari lake.
After working on it for years, the civic body is hopeful of getting the plan sanctioned under the central government’s National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). Following in the footsteps of the ‘Save Nag River: My City, My River’ campaign by TOI-MT,
mayor Anil Sole and municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane have chalked
out a 15-day campaign starting from May 1 to clean the river and create
public awareness. Already, desilting work has started on some stretches
of Nag River and Futala nullah. If the rejuvenation plan is approved
during this campaign, it will boost the initiatives to save the river.
TOI unveils the rejuvenation plan, which comprises cleaning, scientific
water management, enhancing greenery and architectural works like
riverfront development. Total 22 locations, including 16 locations along
Nag River, have been identified from Ambazari lake’s overflow point up
to confluence with Pili River on the city’s outskirts beyond Bharatwada.
The remaining six locations are along Futala nullah, from Futala lake
up to confluence with Nag River at Sangam Chawl, Sitabuldi.
All
the 22 locations have been termed as nodes and classified into five
categories based on existing structures or significance including
heritage and religious, institutional, ecological, physical connectors
and visual connectors.
Without going for exploring natural
water sources, the plan is to treat the sewage and storm water before
letting it into the river. Four mini sewage treatment plants (STPs) with
capacity of 5 million litres per day (MLD) will be set up along the
river. The sewage flowing into the river will be diverted to the STPs by
laying small trunk lines along the river. Though not a part of
rejuvenation plan, the NMC plans to establish more STPs and other
techniques to arrest and treat more quantity of water. Already, four
STPs are under construction.
As far as conservation is
concerned, buffer zones will be developed along the river and reserved
for increasing greenery. All the 16 locations will have rain water
harvesting projects. Besides, public toilets and other amenities have
been proposed for proper sanitation management.
The highlight
of the plan is development and beautification of Sangam Chawl. Along
with this, riverfront development has been proposed at canal road,
Ramdaspeth, and other locations. The plan also proposes ghats with
staircases leading to the riverbed at all 16 locations for religious and
recreational purposes.
The rejuvenation plan will become even
more significant if the Swami Vivekananda memorial at Ambazari lake’s
overflow point becomes a reality. The NMC has already issued work orders
for the project.
Nagpur: Nagpurians may no longer remember Nag
as a river. Almost all of them refer to the city’s once iconic river as
a nullah. At the same time, almost all of them want to see it revived.
TOI asked a cross section of Nagpurians whether the river deserves to be
revived or is it more practical to just cover it and use the space for
something more useful like parking or weekly veggie markets. Citizens
overwhelmingly rooted for the first option with almost none backing the
second.
Seventeen-year-old college student Aradhya Pande has
seen the river as just a nullah since his birth. He is anguished when
asked whether it should be covered. “Ever since I learnt about its past
and became aware of the importance of river passing through the city, I
no longer refer to it as a nullah. I call it a river. Most mention it as
Nag nullah and that mindset should be changed. The civic body and
government’s apathy towards the river is monumental. I like to imagine
how good it would be if the river had retained its original features.
There would be no need for water coming from pipelines. People may have
used its water for bathing, washing clothes and also drinking. But we
are not so lucky,” he said.
City MP Vilas Muttemwar said that
though it was unfortunate that we call Nag river as nullah but it is
only a reflection of its present condition. “But every problem has a
solution and this river too can be rejuvenated. No one in his right mind
will think of covering it. We know what disaster can happen if we play
with nature. Mumbai’s Mithi river is a fine example. We also have
examples of rivers regaining their glory. Rivers in European countries
are fine example of this. I am in touch with Government of India on this and have raised issues related to Nag River whenever I got a chance. I had a meeting with Union minister for urban development
Kamal Nath recently to press for sanctioning the Nag rejuvenation plan.
The government is going slow as image of Nagpur municipal corporation
(NMC) is very bad in proper utilization of funds,” he said.
City’s first citizen Anil Sole too expressed the hope of Nag River’s
rejuvenation. “It’s a river and a notified one. No one should think even
by mistake of covering it up. At the same time, it is true we have
failed to conserve it. NMC is planning a campaign based on public
participation for it’s conservation. Besides, the plan for its
rejuvenation is also in the final stage. The river can be revived if the
citizens think about it and act for it,” he said.
Chandrapal
Chouksey, a resident of Corporation Colony who resides on the river’s
bank and is known for promoting tourism, said, “Our next generation will
not forgive us if we covered the river flowing through the city. Public
representatives, officials of NMC and NIT along with a few citizens
should take responsibility and work for its rejuvenation. Nothing is
impossible if we take it up as a mission. We create artificial water
bodies to attract and beautify the resorts but no care is taken for
natural streams like Nag River which is flowing from one end of the city
to the other. Howsoever bad it’s state it may be now, but it’s like our
mother.”
Environment activist and convener of Nagpur
environment action group Swanand Soni said, “We should assume our
culture has ended the moment we think of covering the river. We should
not call it a nullah. Calling or treating it as a nullah is like taking
the first step towards its destruction. Need of the hour is to unite and
press for the river’s rejuvenation. We have no option but to rejuvenate
the river as it is closely linked to city’s environment be it air,
groundwater, public health or greenery.”
