Nagpur: To save private operator Orange City Water Private Limited’s (OCW) money, Nagpur Environmental Services Limited (NESL), the special purpose vehicle of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for water supply, has spent over Rs50 crore from funds approved for 24X7 Water Supply Project. The private operator was supposed to spend Rs112.80 crore from its pockets, but did not spend a single penny in last six years.
As per the contract executed between NMC and OCW in 2011, it was mandatory for OCW to spend Rs15 crore per annum from its pocket on repairing and renovation of water network and related infrastructure. The amount was linked to NMC payments to OCW, and was to increase with rise in OCW’s payment.
Thus, the amount to be spent by OCW increased from Rs15 crore per annum to Rs16.50 crore in 2012-13, Rs17.55 crore in 2013-14, Rs18.15 crore in 2014-15, Rs19.80 crore in 2015-16, Rs20.40 crore in 2016-17, and Rs20.40 crore in 2017-18. Thus, OCW should have spent Rs112.80 crore over the last six years.
As per data available from NESL, OCW has not spent a single penny in last six years. As OCW was not spending, the works of repairing water pipelines, valves, tanks, tapping leakages were executed from funds approved for 24X7 Water Supply project, which is against the rules, by calling them priority works.
NESL sources told TOI over Rs50 crore was spent from the 24X7 Water Supply project on repairs. “Target was to replace 574.31km water pipeline under the project. Now, the target has increased to 676.11km. This happened as NESL got 101.8km pipeline replaced from the project funds, which was supposed to be done from OCW’s money,” sources said.
Now, NESL has directed OCW to start spending money on repairs. Unfortunately, NESL is not directing OCW to spend dues of Rs112.80 crore.
TOI had on November 15 highlighted NESL board of directors passed resolution to relax this mandatory condition of OCW till 2018-19. Standing committee and general body will take final decision.
Anjaya Rajam Anparthi, 33, is a principal correspondent with The ...
Read MoreAnjaya Rajam Anparthi, 33, is a principal correspondent with The Times of India, Nagpur edition and looking after civic beat. He also likes to write stories from power and mining beats. He is a fond lover of city’s environment and highlight stories related to trees, greenery, rivers, lakes, sewage system, water treatment plants, and pollution-level. The issues related to civic amenities takes him to various parts of the city, slum areas, posh localities and meet citizens, social activists, NGOs, corporators and political leaders. Daylong visit to the NMC’s administrative offices makes him easy in learning various planning and developments of the city. He too likes to visit the developmental projects being undertaken under JNNURM Scheme once in a week. Maintaining a good contact with 145 corporators and officials, he like to highlight various issues related to the city spread in over 217 sq.km.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment