Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari, on Saturday, declared that Nagpur would get its own ‘integrated drainage plan’ soon to combat further flood like situation or water-logging during monsoon. Gadkari made this statement at a press conference held at his residence which was also addressed by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present. “Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) with financial assistance of Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has initiated the abatement project of Naag River in which the international consultant is providing fund for construction of drainage system of the three constituencies that comes under the abatement project.

 

However, I have instructed the Municipal Commissioner to include the remaining three constituencies under the project with the help of the international consultant and prepare a whole ‘integrated drainage plan’ of the city,” said Gadkari. “All stakeholders like NMC, Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) will fund the project for the remaining three constituencies for the integrated plan. After the completion of the plan city will get its new drainage system,” claimed the Union Minister. While replying the question on city’s own hydrology plan asked by The Hitavada, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “This Japan based consultant has holistic approach and it is working with general consultant firm in city on this project.

 

The hydrological study is the integral part of Naag River abatement project and the consultant has already worked on it. This abatement project is not only a construction project, but also a project of reclaiming our own Naag River.” The flash flood that took place in Ambazari Lake on September 23 this year caused huge damage to nearby residents of Naag River. The flood in the lake caused flood in Naag River due to which the retaining walls of the river on both sides caused damaged. Keeping the threat of future floods in mind, district administration is going to start a project of strengthening of Ambazari Lake and Naag River soon.

 

“The Ambazari Lake strengthening project will be distributed in two phases. In the first phase the concrete jacketing of Ambazari dam, and construction of RCC retaining wall on the slope of the 140 meter long dam,” said Gadkari. The irrigation department has already approved a fund of Rs 21.07 crore for this proposed project and the work will start soon. “In the second phase, the repair of cross section of the earthen dam and its pitching, and construction of toe-drain in the bottom of the dam will take place. The hydrolic calculation of the water flow of the lake has already been done by the Department,” said the Union Minister. He further said, “Irrigation Department will expense around Rs 11.35 crore for this second phase.”

 

 

 

 

Along with the strengthening of Ambazari Lake the administration is also proposed a maintenance and strengthening project of Naag River from the Ambazari overflow point to Panchasheel Theatre stretch of the river. Gadkari at the press conference said, “The administration will demolish illegal parking of NIT Skating Rink that hampered the water flow of Naag River on September 23.” NMC has sent a proposal of Rs 234.21 crore to the State Government through the district collector for strengthening of retaining walls of Naag River on both sides.

 

Under this project, the civic body will repair the broken retaining walls of Naag River, deepening them 1 mt to 1.5 mt and desilting of the river on this 4.80 km stretch. NMC will also repair the broken retaining walls of all the rivers of the city including Pili and Pohra rivers. The repair of broken roads will be also done. NMC also sent a proposal of Rs 848.72 crore to the State Government for Disaster Mitigation Measures of the city in which it will maintain and repair all flood affected areas. The choking of culverts in all bridges over Naag River caused the flood on both sides of the residential areas. Keeping this poor condition of bridges in mind, NMC will also repair all bridges on this 4.80 km long stretch of Naag River under this project.