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.