Nagpur: Hundreds of households in Pratap Nagar went without drinking water for three days after a water pipeline was allegedly damaged during an ongoing Public Works Department (PWD) road project, even as thousands of litres continued to flow into the dug-up stretch of road. Residents accused civic authorities of gross negligence, alleging the prolonged project has turned their neighbourhood into a construction nightmare by disrupting daily life, crippling traffic and triggering a water crisis.The affected stretch has remained under excavation for nearly one-and-a-half years. TOI had reported on February 26 that the storm drain project had entered its final stage. However, residents said little progress has been made since.In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, members of the Pratap Nagar Residents’ Group sought his immediate intervention, noting that the locality falls within his South-West Nagpur Assembly constituency. A copy of the representation was also submitted to mayor Neeta Thakre.According to the residents, the pipeline was damaged during the road work, disrupting water supply to the Pratap Nagar New Water Tank area in Ward 36. They alleged that repeated complaints drew little response, with Orange City Water (OCW) officials only saying repair work was underway.“For three days, residents have been left without drinking water. Ironically, while taps have run dry, thousands of litres of water are being wasted. Instead of restoring supply, authorities are only carrying out dewatering operations,” the letter states.The residents described the administration’s response as callous and questioned how people could be left without drinking water for three days despite the city being in the middle of the monsoon.They also alleged that the incomplete project has severely disrupted traffic. With one side of the road closed, vehicles are forced onto a single carriageway, leading to congestion and risky overtaking. Mud from the excavation has spilled onto the road, making it slippery, particularly for two-wheeler riders. Contractors’ vehicles parked along the closed stretch have further narrowed the carriageway, they claimed.The residents urged authorities to deploy traffic police personnel to regulate vehicular movement, particularly during school dispersal hours when hundreds of students and parents use the road.“Are the authorities waiting for an accident involving students or parents before taking action?” asked local resident Shrey Verma.Speaking to TOI, a senior PWD official said the damaged water pipeline had been repaired and expressed confidence that the road project would be completed by the end of August.“The biggest challenge delaying the road work has been utility shifting. There is an old sewer line running through the stretch, which cannot simply be closed. New sewer lines have been laid at both ends, but a small portion is still pending. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has to complete that work. Once the remaining sewer line is shifted, we will immediately resume road construction. We expect the entire stretch to be completed by the end of August,” the official said.
