Nagpur: Four car washing centres in Dharampeth zone were found illegally using tap water supplied through Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) network to wash vehicles. Similar inspections in Laxmi Nagar and Hanuman Nagar zones found establishments relying on wells and borewells. The findings emerged during a citywide inspection drive launched by the NMC amid concerns over potential water shortage.In Laxmi Nagar zone, 12 car washing centres were inspected, of which seven were found using well water while five relied on borewells. Dharampeth recorded 26 inspections, with four centres found using tap water illegally. In Hanuman Nagar, well water was being used at 17 centres, while the remaining inspected establishments relied on borewell water, according to the civic body’s findings.NMC’s nuisance detection squad and Orange City Water (OCW) teams jointly inspected 161 car washing centres across all 10 zones on Monday to identify the sources of water used for washing vehicles and check the misuse of potable water.The drive follows a review meeting held by mayor Neeta Thakre and municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar with senior officials to discuss measures to tackle the possibility of water scarcity. They had directed officials to inspect car washing centres and swimming pools to check their source of water.The civic body found that most inspected centres relied on well or borewell water, while some were using drinking water supplied through the municipal network. The administration is examining the findings to identify violations and prevent the wastage of potable water.The inspection drive is part of the NMC’s wider water conservation efforts as reservoirs supplying Nagpur hold around 58% of their capacity following deficient rainfall this year.The civic administration has also directed officials to take strict action against establishments found misusing drinking water. Fines of up to Rs5,000 may be imposed for each instance of potable water being used to wash vehicles and roads, maintain gardens or undertake construction activities.The NMC is also planning measures to reduce dependence on reservoir water, including the revival of public wells, installation of solar pumps, promotion of rainwater harvesting and the use of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes.
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