NMC to continue using potable water to douse fires

Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will continue to utilize potable drinking water for fire fighting operations, despite the water crisis at reservoirs ruling out irrigation in the district this year. A decision has been taken to install 30-40 hydrants on drinking water network for drawing potable water during fire fighting operations.
NMC standing committee headed by Virendra Kukreja on Friday approved Rs49.99 crore for installing fire hydrants on drinking water network. As per demand of fire and emergency services department, the water works department will install the hydrants.

Also, the water works department will repair some old hydrants that can be brought into use after minor works. Since 1960s, the civic body has installed over 1,000 hydrants on drinking water network. Only 100 hydrants are in working condition.

Huge quantity of water is required whenever a fire breaks out. For years, the fire and emergency services department has been drawing potable water from hydrants and overhead water tanks (elevated service reservoirs) to douse fires.

Despite availability of lakes and wells in most areas, the fire department has made no provisions to draw non-potable water from these sources. Also, the department is not compelling establishments to ensure availability of wells, borewells or reservoirs in their premises, even though it is mandatory.

Justifying the decision, a NMC official told TOI hydrants on drinking water network will ensure easy availability of water whenever it is required in an emergency. “There are many congested areas where fire tenders cannot turn, fill water, and return to dousing fires. Hydrants also save time as continuous water is required for dousing fires. Also, there is shortage of tenders and manpower,” he said.

The standing committee also approved budgetary provisions of Rs38.50 crore to pay private operator of sewage treatment plant (STP) developed on PPP model at Bhandewadi dumping yard. Provisions of only Rs50 lakh had been made in the budget. The committee did not increase budget but diverted funds from other heads for the project.

The STP was commissioned in July. As per the demand raised by NMC Pench Project Cell, Rs4.95 crore per month is required to be paid to the operator from July. Therefore, the department had requested the standing committee to approve Rs50 crore to pay the operator up to March 31 next year.

However, the standing committee did not question the doubling of the repayment cost. TOI had on October 17 reported repayment cost was Rs947 crore in 2015 , but increased to Rs1,782 crore at commissioning of the plant. The committee also neglected wastage of 200 million litres per day (MLD) treated water and methane gas at the plant.

Other Decisions

*Construction of LPG Gas crematorium at Sahakar Nagar ghat under CM special fund at the cost of Rs42.79 lakh

*Procurement of two high flow suction machines for sewage drains works at the cost of Rs96.33 lakh

*Works of Rs44.11 lakh at Dabha crematorium

*Construction of retaining wall along Pili river at Kalamna at Rs42.64 lakh and on nullah at Shrike layout at Rs49.99 lakh

*Laying of inter-locking tiles at Rs53.71 lakh in Vijayanand and PMG Society under CM special fund