Nagpur: Defending its response to recurring urban flooding, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) said it is pursuing a comprehensive, long-term overhaul of the city’s stormwater drainage network while simultaneously implementing immediate measures to address waterlogging during heavy rainfall.In an affidavit filed before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court during the hearing of Janmanch’s PIL, the civic body said the severe rainfall on July 28 caused temporary water accumulation at a few locations, but the situation had “substantially normalised within approximately one to two hours”.“The occurrence of waterlogging at an isolated location, particularly during heavy rainfall, cannot by itself be construed as failure or inaction on the corporation’s part,” the affidavit filed through counsel Jemini Kasat said.NMC told the court that it is moving beyond piecemeal interventions by adopting a watershed-based drainage strategy covering the entire city. The plan envisages strengthening stormwater infrastructure through RCC box drains, pipelines, culverts, cross-drainage structures, retaining walls, chambers and other allied civil works after detailed hydrological and engineering assessments.The proposal for appointing a specialised technical consultant to supervise planning, design, tendering and execution of the drainage network has been placed before Standing Committee for approval.NMC also highlighted ongoing sewerage infrastructure projects aimed at reducing pressure on rivers during heavy rainfall. Under Amrut 2.0, approximately 537km of sewer network is being laid in the southern Pora river catchment and is expected to be completed by June 2028. Separately, under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Pollution Abatement of River Nag Project, another 527km of sewer network has been proposed for catchment areas of Nag and Pili rivers to divert sewage directly to treatment plants instead of natural watercourses.Stating that it had coordinated with PWD, BSNL and other agencies, NMC said three obstructing utility pipelines had already been shifted in front of Somalwar School, while an operational sewer line could not be removed immediately without disrupting essential services.The corporation also detailed measures undertaken after the Sept 23, 2023 floods, including removal of nearly 80% of water hyacinth from Ambazari Lake, installation of gates at Ambazari Dam, construction of a bridge to facilitate overflow, widening stretches of Nag River and clearing encroachments from its basin.Regarding waterlogging near HC’s Gate No. 7, NMC said a complaint by an advocate prompted an immediate inspection, which revealed that accumulated leaves and vegetation inside an open drain within the premises had obstructed water flow. The drainage line was subsequently cleaned.The civic body assured that it would continue coordinating with agencies including Public Works Department, Railways and BSNL to expedite drainage works and implement both immediate and permanent flood mitigation measures across the city.
