City Lockdown: Unsung Water Warriors
Nagpur, Apr 01, 2020: – Despite coronavirus scare across the city, there are many unsung warriors who are ensuring we stay indoors without any problem. They are the everyday unsung water warriors from Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Orange City Water (OCW) who are working hard for 24xhours to ensure scheduled water supply to Nagpurians as well as entering in field resolving any complaints on priority.
Recently, a major leakage on 600 mm dia main distribution line near Shani Mandir, Loha Pool was plugged and water supply restored in many localities of Central Nagpur by such warriors before the scheduled time of emergency shutdown.
Further despite Corona threat, NMC OCW zonal teams are resolving on an average 100 complaints (pending and fresh) on a daily basis using all safety materials.
One of the valve man from Laxmi Nagar zone, who operates a valve from 4am to 12 noon at various places, said, “I ensure that I stay fit and fine so that I continue to play the vital role of supplying water to all Nagpurians. We took it as our moral responsibility to serve the society”
“Our responsibilities have increased as compared to normal working days. Even our seniors also encourage field teams especially supervisors and valve men by visiting at supply hours especially in the early morning or late night.
Amid coronavirus scare, we started feeling proud that we are real field soldiers who are supplying drinking water at Nagpur’s every tap,” he said when TOI spotted him operating a valve by wearing safety gear like a mask. He also carried a pass which mentioned that he is part of discharging essential services.
“Valve men play a vital role in the water supply system. Their day starts at 4 am and continues till midnight as they operate around 182 valves across the city for smooth water supply to every household,” said an OCW spokesperson.
Providing water supply to emergency establishments like Government Hospitals and other hospitals without any problem has been on NMC-OCW’s top priority list and NMC-OCW zonal teams are co-ordinating with all such hospitals etc.
Likewise, Rambhaau , a tanker driver from Wanjari Nagar ESR, said, “We feel proud as we supply water to slums wherein there are no taps. We have been provided masks and other safety gears. We visit people’s home during lockdown to supply water so that they stay indoors,” he said as NMC-OCW provides water in many non-network areas through tankers.
The NMC-OCW pressed 293 tankers and all the drivers into service and a similar number of helpers to have been provided with masks to stay safe while providing water through tankers.
Similar precautions are also being taken by 150-odd plant operators deployed at five water treatment plants – Gorewada (Pench-I, II, III), Kanhan WTP and Godhni WTP with safety masks etc.
Even NMC-OCW zonal teams deployed for maintenance and leakage repairing works are working or remaining alert in resolving no-water or polluted water complaints of consumers.
Under the leadership of NMC Municipal Commissioner Mr Tukaram Mundhe, NMC’s SE Shweta Bannarji & OCW CEO Sanjoy Roy appealed that, “We stayed at work to provide clean and safe drinking water at your taps right at your home. You stay at your home with family to keep the city and the nation safe.”
Other heroes include those who monitor the smooth functioning of the main pipeline. They plug major leakages on pipeline and to clear technical snag at ESRs etc that develop during system operations, said the spokesperson.
Even the NMC-OCW surveillance staff team who takes care of bulk water supply from field too remains on toes. The 100-odd security guards too are playing a vital role to keep all the premises safe and secure.
In a bid to support social distancing as well as lockdown, NMC-OCW has already intensified online payment method. It has appealed to consumers to prefer online payment of water bills.
“Next cycle bills will be delivered on an average basis (no meter reading) and we have also stopped disconnection drive of defaulters,” the official added.
NMC-OCW has thanked and appealed all Nagpurians We stayed at work to provide clean and safe drinking water at your taps right at your home, to resolve your complaints etc. You stay at your home with family to keep the city and the nation safe. For any other information or complaints regarding water supply, you can anytime contact NMC-OCW Toll-Free Number: 1800-266-9899”
