Nagpur: Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has finally moved a step forward in preparing a comprehensive blueprint to strengthen the city’s stormwater drainage network. Earlier, NMC came under scrutiny for failing to initiate the process despite directions from Nagpur bench of Bombay high court.A proposal seeking approval to appoint a consultant for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the city’s stormwater drainage network has been included in the agenda of Standing Committee meeting scheduled for Aug 11. The proposal, having an estimated cost of Rs5 crore, also seeks approval for the Request for Proposal (RFP), following which the tender will be floated.The move assumes significance as NMC is required to apprise the high court of the progress made on strengthening the stormwater network. The civic body had earlier assured the court that it would prepare an RFP to identify missing drainage links and evolve a long-term solution to Nagpur’s recurring urban flooding.According to the proposal, the consultant will prepare a DPR to ensure scientific drainage of rainwater in areas within the municipal limits. The commissioner has already given in-principle approval for the exercise, while a budgetary provision of Rs5 crore has been proposed under the head for construction and expansion of stormwater drains.The consultant is expected to undertake citywide mapping of the existing stormwater network, identify missing links, study drainage capacities and prepare an integrated plan for strengthening the system. The blueprint is expected to become the foundation of the city’s proposed Storm Water Drainage Master Plan.The process gained urgency after the city again faced flooding during the monsoon. Official data shows Nagpur has 4,587km of roads but only 1,166km of stormwater drains, indicating significant gaps in the drainage network. Civic officials believe many areas get flooded not merely due to inadequate drain length but because of disconnected stretches and poor integration between stormwater networks built by different agencies.The consultant’s recommendations are also expected to address coordination issues among multiple road-owning agencies, including NMC, Nagpur Improvement Trust, National Highways Authority of India, Public Works Department, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and Maha Metro. Independent drainage systems built by these agencies often fail to connect with one another.If approved by Standing Committee, the RFP will be published, paving the way for selection of a consultant to prepare what could become Nagpur’s first comprehensive, citywide stormwater drainage blueprint.
