Nagpur: Days after a 36-hour shutdown at Pench-IV Water Treatment Plant stretched beyond 60 hours, disrupting supply across the city, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is considering another shutdown on Oct 12 to complete pending pipeline repairs.The prospect of another disruption has raised questions over planning, supervision and accountability in the civic body’s handling of an essential service.The shutdown, announced by NMC, began at 10am on Oct 6 and was scheduled to end at 10pm on Oct 7. The work involved interconnecting two 1,400mm-diameter pipelines near Mankapur Nallah for the Pench-IV feeder. It was being executed by the state public works department’s (PWD) World Bank Division.However, the work missed its deadline, delaying the restoration of water supply across 20 command areas. Residents were forced to rely on public wells, borewells and water cans. Even after supply was restored, several localities reported low water pressure and complaints of contaminated water.NMC’s response came under scrutiny over the lack of timely updates on the incomplete work and a clear timeline for restoring normal supply. The public health engineering (PHE) department, responsible for overseeing the city’s water supply, also faced questions over monitoring and coordination during the shutdown.The department swung into action only on Thursday night, after several corporators raised the issue of the prolonged disruption. Deputy mayor Leela Hathibed also visited the site late on Thursday night and expressed anguish over the delay. Superintending engineer Shweta Banerjee and other officials subsequently inspected the site and issued a press communique. TOI tried to contact Banerjee, but she was unavailable for comment.Mayor Neeta Thakre pulled up Banerjee after receiving complaints from residents and directed the PHE department to review water supply across the city and submit a detailed report.The pipeline repairs were reportedly completed temporarily to allow supply to resume, but final welding and leak repairs on both pipelines remain pending. NMC is reviewing the work plan and duration for another shutdown on Oct 12.Meanwhile, residents of Nara and other localities in north Nagpur reported delayed supply, while those in Manewada and Balaji Nagar complained of low pressure and dirty water. With another shutdown under consideration, questions remain over why the original deadline was missed and who will be held accountable for the prolonged disruption.
