After Gadkari & CM Nudge, NMC Identifies 410 Plots For Markets

Nagpur: Days after Union minister and city MP Nitin Gadkari directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to develop organised markets in areas with a population exceeding one lakh, the civic body has identified 410 open plots (nazul lands) for potential development. However, the plan is already facing a major structural roadblock as three key zones — Hanuman Nagar, Nehru Nagar and Lakadganj — have no govt land parcels above 5,000 sqm, severely limiting the feasibility of setting up planned market spaces in these areas.The imbalance does not end there. Out of the 11 authorised markets operated by the NMC, three zones — Laxmi Nagar, Nehru Nagar and Lakadganj — do not have a single designated market. In contrast, Dharampeth, Hanuman Nagar, Gandhibagh, Ashi Nagar and Mangalwari zones have one market each, while Dhantoli and Satranjipura zones have three designated markets each. This uneven distribution highlights long-standing gaps in urban planning and access to organised vending spaces.The land mapping exercise carried out by the NMC's land department shows a skewed availability pattern. Dharampeth zone alone accounts for 229 plots exceeding 5,000 sqm, followed by Laxmi Nagar (56), Mangalwari (40), Ashi Nagar (28), Gandhibagh (26) and Dhantoli (25). Satranjipura has just six such plots, while Hanuman Nagar, Nehru Nagar and Lakadganj have none — a critical limitation in implementing decentralised market infrastructure.Despite these findings, the ground situation remains unchanged. Across Nagpur, footpaths, internal roads and even arterial stretches have turned into informal marketplaces. Hawkers have occupied public spaces in residential as well as commercial areas, forcing pedestrians onto roads and worsening congestion. In the absence of planned vending zones, encroachments continue to expand unchecked.Civic data underscores the scale of the crisis. While the NMC manages only 11 authorised markets, a staggering 52 unauthorised weekly and daily markets are operational across the city. Many of these began as weekly bazaars but gradually evolved into permanent fixtures, becoming integral to local economies while operating outside regulatory frameworks.Key areas witnessing consistent growth of such markets include Jaitala, Sonegaon, Somalwada and Ramna Maroti. In central and eastern parts of the city, encroachment clusters have intensified in Hasanbagh, Wathoda, Jagnade Chowk and Narsala. Similarly, several zones continue to face mounting pressure in Pardi, Hiwri Nagar, Kadbi Bazaar and Hudkeshwar Colony, while Mangalwari zone remains a hotspot with expanding markets in Jaripatka and Mankapur.The contradiction is stark — even after a high-level directive, there is no clear roadmap or timeline to convert identified land parcels into functional market infrastructure. The lack of large govt land in key zones further weakens the implementation of Gadkari's decentralised ‘one-lakh population' model aimed at reducing congestion and organising vending activities.Officials admit that enforcement against illegal markets remains inconsistent due to manpower shortages, political sensitivities and the livelihood dependence of vendors. Anti-encroachment drives are often short-lived, with vendors returning soon after eviction, making enforcement cyclical rather than corrective.Urban planning experts warn that mere identification of land will not address the issue unless backed by swift execution. "The intent is visible, but without time-bound development and solutions for land-scarce zones, illegal markets will continue to dominate," an expert said.