NMC’s water storage capacity to rise, 20 tanks to complete

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has completed 19 over head drinking water tanks, technically called elevated service reservoirs (ESRs), and works on one more is likely to be completed in the next month. The ESRs will help the civic body to increase the water storage capacity, supply and pressure in different parts of the city.
The NMC is set to complete works of new water treatment plant (Pench IV) in March.The water released from here will increase the supply to city by 115 million litres per day (MLD). The commissioning of all 20 ESRs is also expected to be done in March.
The NMC is currently supplying 640 MLD water, which is enough to cater to the whole city. Yet, severe water crisis prevails due to high losses, unequal distribution and lack of storage capacity.
According to NMC data, the government had approved for construction of 24 ESRs on December 28, 2006 at the cost of Rs30.84 crore. The project got delayed in the initial stages itself escalating the project cost to Rs39.30 crore at the work order stage. Works commenced in September 2008 and a target was set to complete all ESRs by March 2011.
Construction of 20 ESRs started and the remaining four were stuck due to unavailability of land and other problems. As on date, 11 ESRs have been commissioned – at Shanti Nagar, Nandanvan-I & II, Kharbi, Sakkardara, Pratap Nagar, Indora I & II, Binaki I & II and Bastarwari-I.
Three ESRs – at Jaitala, Bastarwari-II and Bhandewadi – are ready to be commissioned but not being used. Five more ESRs are also ready to be commissioned at Omkar Nagar, Hanuman Nagar, Seminary Hills and Pardi-I & II but not being used due to lack of completion of feeder main. The construction of ESR at Trimurti Nagar is in the final stages and expected to be completed in March.
NMC superintending engineer Prakash Urade told TOI it was a big challenge to execute and complete works of new treatment plant and 20 ESRs.
The centre had approved 10 projects worth around Rs900 crore for improving quantum of water supply, reducing down high losses and 24X7 water supply to all parts of the city. All were supposed to be completed by March 31, 2012.