City roads held hostage by pandals, processions; NMC faces heat over encroachments, illegal hoardings

Nagpur: Encroachments, road-blocking wedding pandals, and illegal hoardings triggered a stormy session in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) general body on Wednesday, with corporators across party lines accusing the administration of inaction and selective enforcement. Members said unchecked encroachments and illegal markets have pushed the city into daily chaos. Opening the debate, several corporators said public roads are increasingly being used for private events, crippling traffic and even blocking emergency movement. IUML corporator Aslam Khan said wedding pandals have become routine and demanded strict penalties on decorators. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishore Kumeriya flagged religious processions choking key intersections and called for a uniform permission policy. The debate quickly widened to encroachments, with corporators alleging a collapse of enforcement. Roads and footpaths in Mahal, Sitabuldi and IT Park road were flagged for illegal markets, hawkers , and temporary structures. BJP corporator Sanjay Balpande said encroachments in central Nagpur have increased manifold, highlighting illegal markets in areas such as Rajwada Palace. . Members claimed nearly 56 illegal markets operate across the city, including the weekly stretch from Santra Market to Natthi Chowk. BJP corporator Sachin Naik alleged official complicity in allowing violations to persist. Leader of Opposition Sanjay Mahakalkar said assistant commissioners from all 10 zones have written to municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar seeking protection from alleged political pressure against enforcement. He also questioned the deployment of anti-encroachment squads, claiming three of five teams are confined to Sitabuldi main road.Illegal hoardings emerged as another flashpoint. BJP's Vijay Zalke highlighted rampant illegal hoardings, including structures dangerously close to high-tension power lines. Officials said action has been taken against over 12,000 hoardings, with more than 4,000 police complaints filed. Corporators disputed the figures, citing discrepancies and lack of structural audits, raising safety concerns. Congress corporator Abhijeet Jha flagged revenue losses due to weak enforcement, while others pointed to the contrast between poor bus stop amenities and the proliferation of hoardings.Responding to the uproar, mayor Neeta Thakre announced a citywide ‘Mission 100 Days' drive against encroachments and illegal hoardings, directing immediate action and warning that accountability would be fixed on assistant commissioners and ward officers. Corporators remained unconvinced, alleging past drives were selective and short-lived. "Encroachments and illegal hoardings will continue unless enforcement is sustained across the city," members said. Civic chief Vipin Itankar acknowledged the scale of the problem, stressing the need for coordination with police and the revenue department, while adding that rehabilitation of hawkers and alternative vending spaces would be explored.BOX The general body passed the Environment Status Report for 2024–25 without discussion. Mayor Thakre later said the Neeri-prepared report flagged pollution from the dumping yard, construction activity, and contamination in the Nag, Pili and Pora rivers, along with groundwater concerns. The House also approved property tax rebates — 15% (online) and 10% (offline) for payments before July 31, and 10% (online) and 5% (offline) for payments before December 31 — along with incentives for eco-friendly measures.INFOBOX 1: KEY OBSERVATIONS FROM HOUSE DEBATERoads increasingly used for wedding pandals, religious processions, causing routine traffic disruptionsEncroachments widespread across Mahal, Sitabuldi, IT Park and other key areasHawkers, temporary structures, welcome arches occupying roads and footpathsAllegations of officials shielding encroachers and selective enforcementAnti-encroachment squads unevenly deployed, with focus limited to select stretchesIllegal hoardings exceed official figures, with discrepancies flagged by corporatorsMany hoardings allegedly lack structural audit, raising safety concernsMounting concern over revenue losses due to unauthorised hoardingsAssistant commissioners reportedly seeking protection from political pressureINFOBOX 2: NMC RESPONSE & RULINGMayor announces ‘Mission 100 Days' drive to remove encroachments, illegal hoardingsAction to begin immediately, with citywide enforcement from ThursdayAccountability fixed on zone assistant commissioners and ward officersWarning of strict action against non-performing officialsCommissioner stresses joint action with police and revenue departmentsEmphasis on rehabilitation of hawkers under Street Vendors ActCivic body acknowledges encroachment removal cannot be done in isolationAssurance of stronger enforcement and coordination going forward
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