30 illegal structures razed for Rs20cr Wanadongri road work

Nagpur: A major anti-encroachment drive was launched on Friday to clear illegal structures obstructing the Rs20-crore road widening project between Shalinitai Meghe Hospital Chowk and Waddhamna Road. Around 30 unauthorised structures, including temporary sheds, roadside shops and permanent constructions, were demolished during the operation.The joint action was carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Wanadongri Nagar Parishad after the Maharashtra govt granted administrative approval for widening and upgrading the crucial 1.3km stretch. As per the plan, the existing 10-metre-wide road will be expanded to 24 metres to accommodate rising traffic and improve connectivity in the rapidly developing corridor.The demolition drive began around 8am amid heavy police deployment. MIDC police station PI Gokul Mahajan and Hingna police station PI Vijay Chavan supervised security arrangements with their teams.Officials said several commercial establishments had illegally occupied nearly 100 metres of the proposed road alignment. Some had constructed permanent concrete structures within the project boundary, requiring heavy machinery for demolition.Authorities said the encroachments had become a major hurdle to the expansion project and were worsening traffic congestion in the area. "We issued three notices to the encroachers, with the final notice served three days ago. Action was initiated after the deadline expired," said Wanadongri Nagar Parishad CEO Rahul Parihar.Following the notices, many residents and shopkeepers removed household goods, commercial material and shop inventories before the drive began.Parihar supervised the operation along with civic officials and the encroachment removal squad, while PWD teams from the Hingna subdivision carried out measurements and boundary demarcation as per the approved road plan.Officials said the anti-encroachment drive would continue in phases over the coming days. Once completed, the widened road is expected to ease congestion and improve traffic flow along the busy stretch.