– City Infrastructure Projects Put Pressure on OCW Water Supply Operations
Nagpur :- Amid the intense heat of the 2026 summer, OCW-NMC is making every effort to maintain a smooth water supply for the city. However, the water supply to citizens is frequently disrupted due to external challenges arising outside OCW’s operational scope.
Large-scale infrastructure projects are underway across the city; these include the construction of cement roads and flyovers, the expansion of the metro rail network, the laying of optical fiber and cables, and the construction of sewage and storm-water drainage lines. Excavation and digging activities associated with these projects frequently damage water pipelines. In the last three months (since March 2026), 34 incidents of damage to water pipelines have been recorded.
Minor damage caused by the respective contracting agencies is often concealed or overlooked; frequently, OCW is informed only about major damage where water wastage is clearly visible. This concealed minor damage eventually manifests as leaks, low-pressure issues, or complaints regarding water contamination. OCW is able to identify the root cause of these problems only after conducting multiple tests and subsequent repair work.
Due to a lack of established protocols and coordination among the various agencies involved, such damage continues unabated. OCW has been consistently urging the administration to adopt and implement an official Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address this issue. Accordingly, it should be mandatory for third-party agencies to conduct pre-dig verification and obtain alignment clearance before commencing any work or excavation. Despite repeated requests, no coordination mechanism has been implemented yet, and damage to water pipelines continues.
Three major leakages, further straining the water supply, were detected on June 6, 2026:
1. Satranjipura Zone: Boriyapura Feeder CA (near Golibar Chowk) – Water pipelines with diameters of 200 mm and 160 mm were damaged by the contractor ‘M/s NCC’, who is executing flyover construction work. This damage occurred on the evening of June 5, 2026. The contractor has agreed to carry out repairs, and the work is expected to be completed by the afternoon of June 6, 2026. This incident disrupted the water supply in the Barse Nagar, Shobha Khet, and Golibar Chowk areas.
2. Bharatwada: Near Shyam Nagar (Tank-4 ESR) – On June 5, 2026, a water pipeline with a diameter of 250 mm was damaged by the contractor while laying a water distribution line for the Bharatwada Tank-4 ESR. This adversely affected the water supply in the PMAY and Shyam Nagar areas.
3. Hanuman Nagar Zone: Shivaji Society, Vinayak Nagar (Hudkeshwar CA) – On June 5, 2026, a water pipeline with a diameter of 100 mm was damaged by the contracting agency while laying a sewage pipeline. This damage resulted in the supply of contaminated water to approximately 10 households in the affected area. Repair work was completed by the evening of June 6, 2026.
Due to frequent water pipeline leaks, OCW officials have urged infrastructure agencies and relevant bodies to adopt a coordinated ‘pre-dig verification’ procedure and confirm the pipeline’s alignment before commencing any excavation or construction work. Citizens are requested to cooperate regarding any inconvenience caused during repair work and to use water judiciously.