NAGPUR: Water supply shut downs have become a common feature since the entire water distribution system was handed over to private water operator Orange City Water Limited (OCWL). Almost every alternate day, there is shut down in one or the other part of the city. Now, the operator has called for a shut down across more than half the city for two days, less than three months after a similar massive shut down, raising questions about planning of operations and maintenance.

OCWL spokesperson informed the media about the shut down proposed for 24 hours from 10am on Wednesday to 10am on Thursday. "Water supply may be normalized by Friday morning. Shut down is being planned to undertake some development works at reservoirs in Rajbhavan premises."

Emergency services like main railway station, Ajni railway station, government medical college, Mayo hospital, Super Specialty and RTM Cancer Hospital will also be affected during the two-day shut down. Areas in five zones, Mangalwari, Satranjipura, Dhantoli, Hanuman Nagar and Nehru Nagar, covering all of South and Central Nagpur, and parts of South-West and East Nagpur assembly constituencies will be affected.

These same areas had also faced a three-day shut down from December 4 to 6 last year. The main railway station along with many areas were affected to a great extent during the shut down. However, citizens took the inconvenience in their stride. Now, the shut down planned within three months amid the onset of summer may invite protests.

Shockingly, NMC and OCWL have continued to forget their responsibility to the citizens, and neglected to announce any help from water tankers.

Chairman of water works committee Sudhakar Kohle has urged citizens to ensure they store enough water for two days to prevent any inconvenience. OCWL has urged citizens to lodge any complaints on toll free number 18002669899.