NMC plans to tap Kanhan river water to meet city’s needs during monsoon
| Date :27-Dec-2022 |
By Sagar Mohod
To reduce dependency on Pench river water, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is eyeing running water of Kanhan river to meet the drinking water demand of the city. During rainy season, Kanhan river has abundant water flow and hence the city planners are planning to lift 65 MM3 for the three month period. For the same, NMC has planned to draw the river water from Rohana village. The river water would be channelled to Gorewada and Mahadula water treatment plants. NMC has already earmarked reservation of 100 to 120 MLD from Kanhan river. For its processing, a treatment plant is at cantonment area in Old Kamptee. Presently, water from Kanhan is supplied mostly to residential areas of North and East Nagpur.
As per the new plan proposed by Water Supply Department of NMC, Kanhan river water will be processed at Mahadula and Gorewada. For the same, NMC has approached State Government through Irrigation Department for enhanced allocation of drinking water from Kanhan river. The proposal is under consideration and NMC is hopeful of getting the nod as the same does not trouble any existing arrangement and ensure full utilisation of rain water that otherwise goes waste. During monsoon, Kanhan river gets filled to brim which becomes a cause of worry for the administration. Meanwhile, at Mahadula, Pench-IV pipeline already exists through which areas of West, South West and South Nagpur are covered. At present, water is drawn from Pench Right Bank Canal, a 48.5 km long open canal linked to Pench Irrigation Complex.
Once the pipeline is affixed at Rohana village, water drawn from Kanhan will be distributed between Mahadula water works and to Gorewada water treatment plants respectively. This would ensure that Kanhan water is fully utilised as entire city would be covered through it, revealed Manoj Talewar, Superintending Engineer, NMC, while sharing the plan details with ‘The Hitavada’.
The concept to tap Kanhan river is part of NMC’s plan to meet future demands of growing population of the city.
NMC is aware of the responsibility to take care of needs of Peri-Urban areas where the ever expanding sky line is testimony to increased migration from nearby towns.
Talewar said, during monsoon entire city’s drinking water supply is set to be sourced from Kanhan. With this, NMC’s dependency on Pench water would remain intact and come handy during the critical summer period.
In case during monsoon, the Pench dam is filled to capacity, (55,000 cu mi), it means that for next two years each sector depending on its water stands benefitted. Besides NMC also has Kamthi Khairi dam where excess water from Pench flows and if same is full then for citizens there is nothing to worry of any water shortage during the summer time.
Post-construction of a dam on upper reach of Pench by Madhya Pradesh, at Chourai, there is always lingering worry of scarcity in case catchment area of former remains dry. Only when Chourai overflows the water flows downstream into the Pench Dam and knowing well this arrangement, NMC is increasingly focusing on alternates.
Pench dam was basically constructed with aim of meeting the demands of farmers and same was projected when the project was sanctioned. Especially in time of summer or during the lean monsoon period, the strain on Pench brings out in open the fissures as farmers want first right on the water as against rule where drinking water is prioritised over other needs.