Nagpur: Every spell of heavy rain causes anxiety to residents of New Ahbab Colony in Mahesh Nagar, as the nullah passing through the locality has no retaining wall. Whenever the nullah overflows, floodwaters gush into houses, roads get submerged, and residents fear for their safety.Similarly, the absence or deterioration of retaining walls has left thousands vulnerable to flooding in localities along the rivers and nullahs across the city. “Despite repeated complaints to the authorities, no permanent solution has been provided. Every monsoon, drain water floods homes in Welcome Society, New Ahbab Colony, Mahesh Nagar, Suraj Nagar, Sangam Nagar and Godavari Colony, causing losses and hardship. Promises to rebuild the drain wall were made before the elections, but residents are still waiting for action,” said Zafar Solanki, a resident and social activist.Recognising the threat, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has identified 29.651 km of damaged and missing retaining walls. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for construction and reconstruction of retaining walls and four bridges at a cost of ₹856.31 crore as a long-term flood mitigation measure. Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar said NMC has submitted the proposal to the state urban development department for funding.As per the DPR, 2.84 km of retaining walls along nullahs connected to Nag River were identified for reconstruction, while two bridges in poor condition require immediate rebuilding.The proposal also envisages construction of 12.26 km of retaining walls along the Pili River, besides reconstruction of one bridge.Senior NMC officials admitted that nearly 90% of the Pili River currently has no retaining wall, making adjoining settlements highly susceptible to flooding, erosion, and collapse of riverbanks during heavy rainfall.For the Pora River, the DPR proposes construction of 7.387 km of retaining walls. In addition, nullahs discharging into the river require 2.604 km of retaining walls, while one bridge has also been identified for reconstruction.The plan further includes rebuilding nearly 900 metres of damaged retaining wall along Chambhar Nullah, which has weakened over the years.The issue has gained urgency following flooding in low-lying areas in the last few years, with several retaining walls either collapsing or developing major cracks.Nagpur’s drainage system comprises the 16.58-km-long Nag River, 17.42-km-long Pili River, and 15.17-km-long Pora River, besides 227 nullahs spread across the city that discharge into these three rivers. Civic officials said the lack of retaining walls at several stretches has increased the risk of overflowing nullahs, erosion of embankments, and flooding of nearby residential areas during extreme rainfall events.“We are hopeful of receiving funds. Construction of retaining walls and reconstruction of vulnerable bridges will significantly reduce flood risks for citizens residing along rivers and nullahs,” Itankar told TOI.# NMC PROPOSALNag River: Reconstruction of 2.84 km retaining walls; rebuilding two bridgesPili River: 12.26 km retaining walls; one bridge; no wall along nearly 90% of riverPora River: 7.387 km retaining wallsPora-connected nullahs: 2.604 km retaining walls and one bridgeChambhar Nullah: 900 m retaining wall to be reconstructed
