Envisioned as Nagpur’s gateway to the future, the Multi-Modal International Hub Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) has long been promoted as a hub for IT investments. However, for residents living in its housing clusters, this vision is clashing with a basic concern — the cost and, in some cases, even the availability of water.
Several housing societies in MIHAN have raised objections to the water tariff structure implemented by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), the agency developing the project. One such society has formally lodged a complaint, alleging that the tariff is disproportionately high and not in line with the domestic billing norms followed by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
The NMC follows a slab-based system, charging Rs 8.99 per unit for 1–20 units, Rs 14.36 for 21–30 units, Rs 19.77 for 31–80 units, and Rs 25.18 for consumption beyond that.
In contrast, residents claim that MADC follows a flat-rate system without slabs. The tariff has increased from Rs 15.97 per unit in 2022–23 to Rs 21.26 per unit in 2025–26. As per MADC’s official response, the revised rate for residential potable water stands at Rs 23.38 per 1,000 litres from April 1, 2026.
“Even the per-unit water price for Mihan residents is excessively high. At a time when the area is being projected as an upcoming IT hub, residents are being forced to pay a premium for a basic necessity.
Additionally, the absence of a slab system means there is no distinction between low and high consumption, even minimal usage is charged at rates comparable to the upper slabs in the city,” said Deepak Birole, a resident who has been pursuing the issue with authorities.
Residents of another society alleged that they do not have a functional water connection at all and are relying on alternative arrangements, even as tariff disputes continue elsewhere.
Senior advocate RK Dube, also a resident, said, “We don’t even have water supply in our society till date. We have been raising this issue for the past couple of years, but there is no lasting solution. We now plan to approach the concerned authorities again.”
Residents also highlighted gaps in basic civic infrastructure. “Basic services like waste management are not streamlined,” another resident said, adding that the society has had to hire a private agency for garbage collection.
In its written response, MADC stated that the water tariff structure in MIHAN is governed by its annual circular approved by the competent authority and is uniformly applicable to all consumers within the project area. As per the revised rates effective April 2026, domestic potable water is charged at Rs 23.38 per 1,000 litres, with different rates applicable for residential, commercial and industrial categories.
The agency maintained that the existing billing and tariff framework is being implemented in accordance with these notified provisions.
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