A cat and mouse game between Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and CSIR-NEERI has put a question mark on occupation of a newly constructed multi-storey apartment building in Laxmi Nagar area. The two agencies have failed to agree on construction of sewage chamber that has stalled sewer pipeline work. The basic infrastructure requirement has remained stuck for over six months in Laxmi Nagar, as the two agencies are pointing fingers at one another. The issue pertains to Shantiprayag Apartment, an eight-storey building with 21 flats coming up on NEERI Road. The project requires a sewage pipeline connection to the main trunk line running from Annabhau Sathe Chowk towards RPTS Road.

 

However, since the connection must pass through land owned by CSIR-NEERI, the work has been pending clearance, said Rajesh Tidke, one of the flat owners. The proposed connection involves laying a pipeline and constructing a chamber that will allow sewage from the building to directly flow into the main line. In absence of this, inconsistent flow could lead to repeated sewer blockages. NMC officials stated that, they have been in continuous correspondence with CSIR-NEERI for over a year, seeking permission to execute the work. Records indicated multiple exchanges between the two bodies, including letters from the Laxmi Nagar Zone office requesting access and highlighting the necessity of the connection.

 

On its part, CSIR-NEERI has sought technical clarifications, including a detailed map of the proposed alignment, maintenance responsibilities, and the status of any existing sewer infrastructure on the site. A CSIR-NEERI official stated that, no communication has been received from NMC following the latest query, and the institute is awaiting additional details. NMC cites repeated objections According to Kaushal Saraf, an official from NMC Laxmi Nagar Zone, the civic body has already completed a significant portion of the groundwork. “We have laid a sewer line from Om Apartments in the same vicinity up to Shantiprayag Apartment. The remaining work is to connect this to the main sewer line on NEERI Road by constructing a 3 ft x 7 ft x 10 ft chamber,” he said. Saraf added that, multiple plans have been submitted and the proposal has been explained in person to several NEERI representatives.

 

“Despite this, permissions have not been granted. Each time, some objection or requirement is raised, which has delayed the process. The response has not been proactive,” he said. At one stage, the civic body also indicated it may proceed under provisions of law which allow such works to be undertaken in public interest, but this did not lead to any breakthrough. “We have now been asked to submit a fresh detailed map, which is being prepared. Once that is done, we expect the construction to resume within two to three days,” he said. The CSIR-NEERI officials, however, say they have plan for future expansion of research facility on the said land on which the NMC wants to construct the chamber.

 

The officials, requesting anonymity, maintained that, NMC officials have not shared detailed plan, nor shown drawings relating to construction of chamber, and added, they are not to be blamed for stalling the sewage pipeline work. But the twist is the CSIR-NEERI officials would not like to go on record to state that, citing rules, wherein they are not authorised to speak to media. The officials said, any official quote would have to directed to their Central Headquarters. For now, the project awaits final clearance, with both agencies sticking to their respective positions.