Court clears Lakadganj fire stn redevelopment

Nagpur: Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) received a respite after district judge-6 dismissed an appeal challenging the civic body's eviction action for redevelopment of Lakadganj fire station, paving the way for the long-pending public safety project.District judge MS Ganorkar, while hearing miscellaneous civil appeal number 63 of 2026 filed by businessman AK Parekh, through his legal representative Abdul Qayyum, upheld Jan 30, 2026, order passed by deputy municipal commissioner (Estate), confirming the legality of the eviction proceedings initiated by the NMC.The dispute pertains to a 5,851.54-square-metre plot at Kadbi Tanas Padao in Lakadganj, reserved for reconstruction and expansion of the fire station. Parekh, who was operating a business on the premises since 1970, challenged the eviction notice issued under Section 81(B)(2) of Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, claiming his shop was outside the redevelopment zone and alleging violation of natural justice.Court observed the entire reserved land was necessary not only for the fire station building but also for access roads, manoeuvring of fire tenders, parking and allied emergency services infrastructure. The judgment noted that with increasing urbanisation and population growth, a fully equipped fire station was essential in public interest.The court further ruled that Parekh's lease expired in 2014 and was never renewed, adding that no permanent right could be claimed over municipal land reserved for public purposes. It also rejected allegations of procedural lapses, holding that the appellant was given adequate opportunity to present his case and that the summary inquiry process followed by the NMC was legally valid. Senior advocate SK Mishra and advocate AM Quazi represented the NMC, while legal officers Suraj Paroche and Anand Shende coordinated the case. Civic officials said the ruling would help expedite the crucial redevelopment project aimed at strengthening emergency response infrastructure in East Nagpur.