NAGPUR: After other political parties, BJP too has launched an agitation against the poor supply of drinking water in the city. The agitation against the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is being led by the saffron party’s netas, especially former office bearers and corporators.
A month ago, Union minister Nitin Gadkari had claimed that 70% areas of the city are getting 24X7 water. In programmes organized by the civic body in February and March first week before the tenure of corporators ended, Gadkari, also city MP, had stated there has been no agitations in the city over water shortage in the last 5-10 years and even hailed the NMC as the country’s only civic body to have managed this success.
Activists of Congress, youth Congress, BSP etc had recently staged agitations and led delegations to the NMC offices condemning water shortage.
TOI had reported that only 20% areas have been covered 24x7 water project. Of these areas, a few are getting supply for 1-5 hours a day that too at low pressure. Also, many parts of the city are getting contaminated water supply.
Former BJP corporators Sanjay Bangale, Sunil Hiranwar and Pragati Patil and party workers staged demonstrations in front of NMC Dharampeth Zone on Wednesday. They broke earthen pots as a mark of protest.
On Friday, a BJP delegation led by state general secretary and MLC Chandrashekar Bawankule, former mayor Dayashankar Tiwari and a large number of former corporators met municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B and warned of an agitation at all zones if the water crisis continued. They claimed that the administration’s indifferent attitude in the last one month has led to severe water crisis in the city.
According to Hiranwar, Gadkari had rightly stated that there was no water crisis earlier. “Problem started after our tenure came to an end last month. It is a conspiracy by the MVA government. Areas which were getting 24x7 water are now given supply for only two hours,” he said.
Former Congress corporator Sanjay Mahakalkar alleged that now BJP is now realizing the problems being faced by people for the last 15 years. “BJP, which was in power for three terms, engaged private operator claiming it would improve the services at par with foreign countries and provide 24x7 water to entire city by 2017. Instead, BJP and its operator deteriorated the condition,” he said.
Mahakalkar claimed that BJP did nothing for the last 15 years. “It is evident from the agitation the party started a couple of days ago. What has changed in the last one month during which they are claiming the crisis started,” he asked.
IN A NUTSHELL
* BJP, which was in power in NMC for last 15 years, roped in private operator claiming it will improve services and provide 24x7 water supply
* Rs1,100 crore sanctioned by the government spent on works
* A month ago, BJP netas including Union minister Nitin Gadkari claimed no agitations for water in the last 5-10 years and 24x7 water supply to 70% areas of city
* Now, BJP alleging indifferent attitude of civic administration has led to severe water crisis in the last one month
* BJP netas claim 2 hours supply in areas covered under 24x7 water project
