The Times of India 23.04.2013
NMC proposes beautification of 16 spots along Nag River
NAGPUR: Nag River, the most neglected icon of the city, can get a complete facelift if the rejuvenation plan proposed by the Nagpur municipal corporation
(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."
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."
