NMC to construct addl 136 recharge shafts to boost groundwater levels

Nagpur: In a significant move to replenish depleting groundwater table, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to construct 136 additional recharge shafts along cement concrete (CC) roads in the city. So far, 11 such shafts were completed at key locations, including Jaitala Bazar Square (Orange Street), Rahate Colony Square (near PKV land), Dayanand Park, Police Motor Transport Section at Katol Road, and Futala Lake Road near Police Chowki.
The recharge shafts are designed to help restore groundwater levels that were negatively impacted by the increasing coverage of impervious surfaces like cement concrete roads. These vertical shafts allow rainwater to percolate into the ground, reducing surface runoff and waterlogging while enhancing aquifer recharge.
Other locations of completed shafts include parking area near Patrakar Bhavan near Yashwant Stadium in Prabhag No. 15, Wadi Naka on Amravati Road in Prabhag No. 13, Budhwari Bazar at Sakkardara near water tank, Shanti Nagar Main Road near water tank in Prabhag No. 21, behind Anjuman College at Mangalwari Complex, and parking lot opposite Tuli Imperial Hotel on Central Bazar Road in New Ramdaspeth.
The initiative is being implemented as part of Phase IV of NMC's CC road project, which involves upgrades and development across 33 major roads in the city. On Wednesday, municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari personally inspected some of the sites where recharge shafts were completed and reviewed the progress.
Chaudhari visited the site behind Gulmohar Hall and near Joggers Park to review the water collection and recharge system. Officiating chief engineer Leena Upadhyay, superintending engineer Manoj Talewar, and executive engineer Ravindra Bundhade were present. Officials from public works department said the design and installation of recharge shafts are being done with technical inputs from groundwater experts to ensure maximum efficiency and sustainability.
With the proposed addition of 136 more shafts, the total number will rise to 144 across cement concrete roads under Phase IV. NMC aims to integrate sustainable water management practices with ongoing urban infrastructure development, mitigating the ecological drawbacks of cemented roads.
NMC directed engineers and contractors to ensure timely completion of the upcoming shafts before the onset of the monsoon, so that the city can fully benefit from rainwater harvesting this season.
Project At A Glance
- Total shafts planned: 147 recharge pits
- Completed: 11
- New shafts to be built: 136
- Roads covered: 33 (Phase IV) with a total length of 23.45 kilometres
- Objective: Groundwater recharge, flood mitigation
- Deadline: Pre-monsoon 2025
- To collect rainwater and enable groundwater recharge, a 20-metre deep pit was dug alongside the road. Rainwater will seep through this pit, increasing the water table. The pit is connected to a stormwater drain to channel rainwater efficiently