Over 76% Roads Sans Storm Water Drains – NMC Taking Corrective Measures | Nagpur News – Times of India

Nagpur: Of the 3,549km roads in the city limits, only 23.76% or 845.80km have storm water drain network. Lack of storm water drain system and roads without proper slopes result in rainwater accumulating on roads even after a brief spell of rain. Waterlogging further damages roads, leading to hardships for motorists.
Now, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started taking corrective measures, NMC chief engineer Rajiv Gaikwad told TOI.“New storm water network is being laid covering around 50km roads,” he said.

NMC’s executive engineer (DPDC) Kamlesh Chavan said the work of laying storm water network is going on at several roads. “We have laid storm water network while constructing a cement road in Ganeshpeth area,” he said adding another work has just started at Zingabai Takli. New network is being laid alongside a road connecting Mankapur Ring Road with Zingabai Takli.
Former corporator Sangita Girhe pointed out though PWD constructed storm water network along Zingabai Takli road while converting tar roads into cement concrete, it failed to interconnect it with Pili river. “As a result, during heavy downpour, residential areas alongside the cement road witness knee deep water logging,” she said. “This perennial problem will be solved now,” said Chavan.
In July 2022, Union minister Nitin Gadkari had convened a meeting to review causes of waterlogging not only in low-lying areas but also on roads. The city MP had directed different road owning agencies to submit plans to ensure that the city does not witness even a single waterlogging incident.
Different government agencies including NIT, Nagpur Improvement Trust and NHAI own roads in the city. NMC manages 2,406 kms, NIT covers 965kms, state public works department and NHAI regulate 148 kms and 30 kms, respectively.
A senior NMC official said the existing infrastructure can carry 40mm to 500mm rainwater per hour. If it rains more than 500 mm per hour, many areas start witnessing waterlogging. If Ambazari and Gorewada lakes are overflowing, capacity to drain out rainwater further reduces to 30-35 mm per hour. In 2008-2009, NMC had prepared a detailed project report costing ₹3,556.80 crore, but it could not implement the project due to lack of funds.
NMC has sought financial assistance from state and central govts. “The ongoing work is being carried out with the help of state govt fund,” said Chavan.