The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has prepared a Detailed Project Report worth Rs 431.29 crore to replace ageing sewerage lines across the CIDCO area, ahead of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The plan, submitted to the General Body for final approval, covers 12 sectors of CIDCO and adjoining areas and is aimed at curbing pollution in the Godavari River and its tributaries.
Why the Existing Network Has Fallen Behind
The underground sewerage system in the CIDCO area was originally built in the 1970s and 1980s, when the area consisted largely of single-storey housing. Since then, significant redevelopment into three- and four-storey buildings has placed the old lines under strain well beyond their original design capacity, resulting in frequent clogging and sewage overflowing onto roads.
NMC projects that New Nashik's current population of approximately 5.54 lakh will grow to 12.80 lakh by 2055, with corresponding sewage volume expected to rise from 66 MLD to 154 MLD. The proposed network has been sized with this future growth in mind, rather than only addressing the current shortfall.
What the Project Involves
Under the plan, approximately 266.4 km of new sewerage lines, ranging from 200 mm to 1,000 mm in diameter, will be laid, with old pipelines reconstructed or replaced where required. The project also includes concreting of roads excavated during the laying of new sewerage and water supply lines. Collected sewage will be transported to the Agartakali Sewage Treatment Plant via pumping stations at Untwadi and Agartakali.
Why the Timing Matters
The project's connection to the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela adds urgency to its approval and execution timeline, since large temporary population surges during the event place additional strain on sanitation infrastructure already operating beyond capacity. A functioning, adequately sized sewer network reduces the risk of sewage overflow and untreated discharge into the Godavari during the high-footfall event.
This project adds to a series of recent Nashik sewerage investments, including a Rs 750 crore World Bank-funded network expansion and a separate Rs 227 crore package approved under AMRUT 2, reflecting a broader, multi-year push to modernise the city's ageing sewage treatment and collection infrastructure across several municipal divisions.
Key Highlights
- NMC has proposed a Rs 431.29 crore DPR to overhaul sewerage lines across 12 sectors of CIDCO, Nashik.
- Around 266.4 km of new sewer lines will be laid, replacing pipelines built in the 1970s-80s.
- New Nashik's sewage generation is projected to rise from 66 MLD to 154 MLD by 2055 as population grows to 12.80 lakh.
- The project is timed ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which will place added strain on sanitation infrastructure.
- Collected sewage will route to the Agartakali STP via pumping stations at Untwadi and Agartakali.
Sources & Further Reading
This article is based on reporting from the Free Press Journal, published in September 2026.
