Growing population and need for extra space to accommodate the new members in household have led to citizens carrying out unauthorised construction in Parvati Nagar, Rameshwari. This is a bane for the residents as total disregard to civic sense means the area is frequently prone to choke-up. Further the underground pipeline is leaking at several points that in turn has polluted the wells in the locality. Many house owners have now encroached on the sewer lines adjoining their properties. In an event of choke-up, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) authorities are left handicapped in clearing the line as the accessible points for removing the clots are blocked. The cleaning exercise needed more often now, is only a temporary solution as sewer line gets blocked on multiple occasions. Residents of Parvati Nagar pointed out that the sewerage line present in the vicinity is around 30 to 35 years old. Further, it is laid at only three-feet deep and the base is also not concretised.

 

This results in overflowing of sewage water from manhole covers and accumulation of mud leading to blockages. The sewer line has not been widened or upgraded to match the demand of present population base. Vijay Dhande, a resident of Parvati Nagar, stated that the sewer line adjoining his house ran straight upto Rameshwari main road. However, people have extended their bedrooms, constructed extra bathrooms and enlarged their kitchen areas for a bigger space. This irrational behaviour of the residents is now proving a headache and backfiring for the citizens themselves. An old resident of Parvati Nagar, Sunil Guldeokar mentioned the manhole opening in front of his house overflows on several occasions emitting foul smell. The smell is unbearable. We have to close our doors, windows and lock ourselves inside the house, he stated.

 

Adding to the citizens woes, the well water that is often needed is not fit for drinking as sewage water is now mixed in due to leakages. Guldeokar aged relative Indubai who resides nearby complained that the well water cannot be used washing utensils or clothes as the smell is over bearing. Sewerage water leakage that is causing water contamination is also serving as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other flies that has further compounded the problem for citizens. Sameer Ali, another resident of lane no. 2, Parvati Nagar, stated that that the problem is prevalent in almost all houses of the area. His well was cleaned by the fire department two month back. But it has again started emitting foul smell. Mahesh Dhamecha, Assistant Commissioner, Dhantoli Zone, NMC, when contacted by The Hitavada, stated that the concerned department cleans the sewer lines immediately once a complaint is received. Unauthorised construction remains one of the major problems that goes unchecked. In some parts of Parvati Nagar, NMC have started to repair or renovate the sewerage lines.

 

Given the large expanse of Parvati Nagar, all pipelines cannot be replaced all at once, said Dhamecha. On inquiring to find any permanent solution or replacing all sewerage line in the area, there is no immediate plan in place, he added. Unplanned cement road construction in the area has thrown many houses two feet down under the road. This leads to gushing of rain water in many households and narrow lanes of Parvati Nagar. Though the local corporators are aware of all the issues in the area, lack of political will is causing citizens to break the rules with impunity. A fund for cleaning the sewer lines was also sought in the past, but transferred to other prabhag, stated the troubled citizens.