The Times of India 28.06.2013
Wanted Rs 3,763 crore for storm water drains
NAGPUR: If Tuesday's heavy downpour underlined anything, it was city's dire need of an efficient storm water drain network. But both Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) have been unable to do much by way of extending the existing network.
The city has a road network of over 4,626 running kilometres while storm water drains exist only along 960km roads, said NMC officials. Officials say the existing drains have a capacity to handle only 20% of precipitation pressure. No wonder even moderate rains leave many areas waterlogged. NMC needs Rs 3,763 crore to install drains to tackle heavy showers like Tuesdays. Fresh proposals for laying additional 300 to 400 km storm water drain network are pending with NMC.
An official claimed recently NMC had laid storm water drains but could not provide names of localities where it was done. Ideally, the storm water drain network should be equal to road network, he said while admitting the current infrastructure was totally insufficient.
"Last year, we decided that the existing network be connected nearby nullahs to enhance carrying capacity. But nothing has been done," said standing committee chairman Avinash Thakre. NMC has approached the state government for financial assistance to lay new drains.
Civic officials said a majority of internal roads did not have storm water drains. The worst example are fringe areas like Hudkeshwar, Pardi, Zingabai Takli, Teachers Colony, Nari, Nara, Tarkeshwar Nagar, Jagrut Nagar, Dhammadeep Nagar, Shanti Nagar etc that were under knee deep water by late Tuesday evening. "All this is because city planners earlier neglected the basic infrastructure. NIT should be blamed for not concentrating on unauthorized areas. They are only building roads, sewer lines and streetlights," said the officer.
He pointed out that asphalt roads leave no scope for the water to permeate, resulting in water getting clogged at certain spots. "Compared to other cities, however, Nagpur is safer as the city roads have proper slopes and water easily drains out," he added.
NIT chairman Pravin Darade admitted that most layouts lacked storm water drains. However, he pointed out that they did not come under NIT prior to 2010. NIT was appointed as town planning authority only a couple of years ago. "In new layouts, it is the responsibility of developers to provide drains or the NIT will not release the plot," clarified Darade.
According to architect Ashok Mokha, the city had expanded but not the infrastructure. "Unless it is taken care off, the situation will deteriorate," he said. Luckily city has many natural streams like Nag river, its tributaries and Pili River passing through the city that could be used to drain water quickly. It is high time the civic body should take care of this problem," he said.
What is storm water drain?
Storm water drains carry rainwater from streets, sidewalks, roofs, buildings and other areas to nearest natural stream. They are separate from sewer system that carries sewage to be treated. In Nagpur, NMC hardly ever cleans them what little network exists is also often choked.
* Road network 4,626 kilometres
* Stormwater drain network: 960km
* Money needed to build complete network: Rs 3,763 crore
