Nagpur: Twenty car washing centres across Nagpur were found using water from Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) drinking water network during surprise checks on Oct 26 and 27. However, the civic administration is yet to issue orders imposing fines on these establishments. NMC had warned that establishments found wasting potable water could face fines of up to Rs5,000 for each violation.According to the inspection report, 174 car washing centres were checked over the two days. Of these, 78 used borewell water and 71 relied on wells. Four others used tanker water and one reported using another source.Satranjipura recorded the highest number of centres using NMC water, with eight of the 17 establishments inspected found drawing supplies from the civic network. Dharampeth followed with five of 26 centres, while Nehru Nagar recorded four of 21. Dhantoli and Lakadganj reported one such centre each. No use of NMC-supplied water was reported among the 13 centres inspected in Laxmi Nagar or at the establishments checked in Hanuman Nagar and Gandhibagh.NMC’s Nuisance Detection Squad and Orange City Water (OCW) teams jointly conducted the inspections following directions from mayor Neeta Thakre and municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar to examine water use at car washing centres and swimming pools.The findings come amid concerns over water availability following deficient rainfall and declining reservoir storage. The NMC has stepped up its conservation drive to ensure treated drinking water is reserved for essential domestic needs rather than commercial activities such as vehicle washing.Other measures include action against illegal water connections, revival of public wells and the use of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes.
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