The Water Resources Department (WRD) has announced the installation of two radial escape gates on the left-side bund of Ambazari Dam, near the Vivekananda statue, at a cost of ₹4.4 crore. This initiative aims to improve flood management without affecting the dam’s catchment area.
The move comes after the devastating September 23, 2023, floods, which caused widespread damage in Nagpur due to an uncontrolled spillway overflow. These new gates, controlled by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), will regulate water levels by discharging excess water from July to September.
To further enhance flood resilience, the WRD, with assistance from the Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI), has created a 1-meter cut in the bund, providing an additional 2-meter buffer. Model testing confirmed that these modifications would strengthen the dam’s flood-handling capacity.
A report from the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) clarified that the Vivekananda statue was not responsible for the 2023 floods, attributing the incident instead to unprecedented rainfall.
However, contractors initially refused the project due to logistical hurdles, including restricted space for heavy vehicles and lower CSR rates compared to the Public Works Department (PWD). Despite challenges, authorities confirm the gates will be fully operational before the next monsoon season, offering crucial flood mitigation for Nagpur residents.