Transformative Changes in Nagpur’s Water Management
Nagpur: In 2012, Orange City Water Limited (OCW) took over the reins of Nagpur’s water supply from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), marking a pivotal moment in the city’s infrastructure development. Initially equipped with 33 storage reservoirs, the city’s water infrastructure has since expanded significantly, boasting a total of 77 reservoirs today. This expansion has led to a notable increase in the hours of water supply across various areas.
Extending Water Supply Hours: A Significant Milestone
Nitesh Singh, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange City Water Limited, emphasized the remarkable progress achieved in water supply duration during a recent media interaction. Singh revealed that approximately 50% of Nagpur now receives uninterrupted water supply for up to 24 hours a day, a substantial improvement facilitated by the commissioning of new storage reservoirs. Furthermore, 25% of the city enjoys water availability for 6 to 18 hours, while 18% receives supply between 2 to 6 hours.
Future Expansion Plans
Singh outlined ambitious plans for further enhancing the city’s water infrastructure, with proposals to add 28 additional storage reservoirs. Of these, 14 are currently under construction, while work on the remaining 12 is pending commencement due to land acquisition challenges. Two reservoir projects face delays owing to unresolved land acquisition issues.
Innovative Technologies Driving Efficiency
The introduction of the Integrated Command & Control Centre, powered by Hubgrade Technology, marks a significant milestone in Nagpur’s water management landscape. This centralized monitoring hub leverages advanced technologies to streamline data collation and analysis from various departments. Comprehensive dashboards and GIS maps offer insights into critical metrics such as consumer complaints, supply hours, water pressure, and quality reports.
Combatting Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Losses
OCW has adopted innovative measures, including the deployment of robots for leakage detection, to address non-revenue water losses. Singh expressed confidence in reducing NRW to 25% in the coming years, highlighting a substantial reduction from the previous 67%. The analysis indicates that leakage and illegal tapping contribute significantly to NRW, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to curb wastage.
Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Summer Supply
Despite notable progress, challenges persist in areas such as water contamination, particularly in densely populated zones like Ashi Nagar and Satranjipura. Aging infrastructure and encroachments pose hurdles in delivering uninterrupted water supply. However, OCW remains committed to meeting summer demand by leveraging ample storage facilities in Navegaon Khairi, albeit acknowledging concerns regarding increased power outages.
The transformative initiatives undertaken by Orange City Water Limited have revolutionized Nagpur’s water management landscape, enhancing supply reliability and efficiency. With ongoing infrastructure expansion and technological advancements, the city is poised to overcome existing challenges and meet the evolving demands of its residents.
FAQs:
1. How has OCW improved water supply in Nagpur?
OCW has increased the hours of water supply, with approximately 50% of the city now receiving water for up to 24 hours a day.
2. What measures is OCW taking to combat non-revenue water losses?
OCW has deployed robots for leakage detection and aims to reduce non-revenue water losses to 25% through proactive measures.
3. What challenges does OCW face in ensuring uninterrupted water supply?
Challenges include addressing water contamination, aging infrastructure, and encroachments in densely populated areas.
4. How does OCW plan to meet summer water demand?
OCW utilizes ample storage facilities in Navegaon Khairi but acknowledges concerns regarding increased power outages during summer.
5. What is the future outlook for Nagpur’s water management?
With ongoing infrastructure expansion and technological advancements, Nagpur is poised to meet the evolving demands of its residents while overcoming existing challenges.
