NMC’s monsoon task forces begin pre-monsoon drive in 6 wards

Nashik: The six monsoon task forces, formed by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), on Friday launched the pre-monsoon drive across six wards to tackle rain-related emergencies and minimize waterlogging in the city.Each task force, comprising around 15 staffers along with machinery, has been deployed for four days in a ward to carry out desilting, drainage cleaning and other preventive works based on inputs from the local corporators.The drive was rolled out in Ward 3 (Panchavati), Ward 15 (Nashik East), Ward 7 (Nashik West), Ward 17 (Nashik Road), Ward 24 (Cidco/New Nashik), and Ward 8 (Satpur). NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri, mayor Himgauri Aher-Adke, deputy mayor Vilas Shinde, standing committee chairman Machhindra Sanap and other senior civic officials visited various locations to review the works.An NMC official, while talking to TOI, said the initiative aims to strengthen coordination between the administration, corporators, and citizens. “It will ensure faster response to monsoon-related issues amid ongoing infrastructure works linked to the Simhastha Kumbh Mela,” the official said.During the inspections, teams identified waterlogging-prone spots and took urgent works, including desilting of nullahs, cleaning of manholes and stormwater drains, repairs to ensure smooth rainwater flow, and removal of debris.

Instructions were also issued for addressing pipeline leakages, pruning hazardous tree branches, and fixing potholes on priority.Hemant Zute, divisional officer of Nashik East, said the task force in his division began operations in Ward 15, covering nearly 7-km stretch from Bankar Chowk to Trikoni Garden via Ravindra Chowk and Takli Road. “We removed roadside debris and cleaned drainage chambers, manholes, and stormwater lines based on the suggestion of the corporators. The drive will continue for four days in each ward,” he said.The NMC has also appealed to the residents to report monsoon-related issues to the corporators or the civic body for immediate redressal through the task forces.