The Times of India              11.07.2013

Nagpur Municipal Corporation to clean all water tanks before summer

NAGPUR: After delaying for years, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to clean and repair all 46 overhead and underground water tanks from which water is supplied to the city. While announcing this, chairman of water works committee SudhakarKohle also spoke out against social organization Aakrosh alleging it was engaged in misguiding the citizens about 24x7 water supply project.

Kohle said cleaning and repairing works on tanks will be executed through private water operator Orange City Water Private Limited (OCW). "Works will be undertaken at the tanks in a phased manner. Schedule for tank-wise work has been approved. Works will commence from July 13 and conclude by February 14. Cleaning will take only one day and citizens have to bear shut down on that particular day," he said.

Asked about high water bills in Lalganj area, Kohle admitted mistakes in bills. "I have asked such bills be corrected. But stopping work is not a solution and it was done following misguiding by Aakrosh activists," he said. Former chairman of standing committee Pravin Bhisikar too admitted problems with bills but said demands to reduce bills without justification was not proper.

OCW said, "works have been stopped on temporary basis in only one lane of Chakna Square, Lalganj area, having 40 to 45 house connections due to some misunderstanding and false propaganda created by a few people. There is no controversy in water bills charged to slum residents of Lalganj area."