The scheme, under implementation, is expected to provide tap water to at least 572 villages by the end of this month. These villages are out of a total of 966 villages which were identified as water scarcity-hit villages. Most of these villages faced acute scarcity of drinking water, particulary from April to June, making rural women walk miles in the scorching summer heat to fetch potable water everyday.

An extensive survey conducted by official agencies in Nagpur district revealed that as many as 1,069 villages out of 1,631 villages faced drinking water shoratges during the trying summer months. Considering the gravity of the problem, a master plan was prepared to identify dependable sources of water and carry water to the scarcity-hit villages. The plan is under various stages of implementation.

A totalof 407 villages have bee benefitted by completion of a part of the plan. Another set of 287 villages are expected to get drinking water soon as the plan is in advanced stages of implementation.

The plan, reviewed by District Guardian Minister Nitin Gadkari at the bhoomipujan function for a water supply scheme for a cluster of eight villages in Neri-Kharbi villages in Kamptee tehsil. He was confident that the plan would be implemented as per schedule to ensure that the scarcity-hit villages would get tap water before the beginning of summer.

The water supply scheme for Neri is being implemented by Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran. It involves construction of an intake well in Kanhan river and laying a pipeline to the treatment plant in the village.

The Minister's attention was also drawn to the poor approach road to Neri. When it was pointed out that the road was constructed only a year ago, the minister announced that action would be initiated against the contractor. He also assured budgetaryprovision for the proposed railway underbridge in Kamptee town.