Encroachments choke 49 roads, staff shortage hits NMC action, drives planned in night with police support

Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has identified 49 key road stretches where encroachments continue to choke traffic and shrink pedestrian space even after routine eviction drives. NMC's anti-encroachment wing has barely 150 personnel to monitor these hotspots, making round-the-clock vigilance nearly impossible. In a high-level meeting at the police headquarters, commissioner of police Ravinder Kumar Singal and municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar reviewed the situation under the ongoing ‘Mission 100 Day' drive. Emphasising stricter enforcement, Singal directed officials to intensify night-time anti-encroachment operations with full police backing. The 48 locations include Jhansi Rani Square, Sitabuldi market lanes, Variety Square, Futala Lake frontage, Hingna T-point to Chhatrapati Square, Indora Square to Jaripatka Square, and VNIT to Bajaj Nagar. Officials admit that illegal vendors, temporary structures and unauthorised setups on these locations often reoccupy cleared spaces within hours, exposing the lack of sustained enforcement.The civic survey reveals that the issue is not sporadic but systemic, cutting across eight major issues such as encroachments on roads and footpaths, illegal constructions, waste dumping, unauthorised sewer and water connections, and illegal hoardings. Further complicating enforcement is the fragmented ownership of roads, with stretches falling under multiple agencies including PWD, NHAI, Nagpur Improvement Trust and NMC, leading to coordination gaps.At the meeting, senior officials from police, NMC and RTO discussed coordinated action against illegal food trucks, roadside obstructions and unauthorised hoardings.Civic authorities are also exploring long-term solutions. Deputy municipal commissioner Mangesh Khawale said the administration is identifying govt land parcels to rehabilitate 1,225 authorised hawkers through designated vending zones. A parallel zone-wise survey is being planned to act against repeat offenders under the MRTP Act.Officials concede that without continuous enforcement and strong deterrence, the cycle of eviction and re-encroachment will persist. INFOBOXNMC ‘MISSION 100 DAY' ENCROACHMENT DRIVE# Priority: Removal of encroachments, illegal hoardings and obstructions on roads and footpaths# Directives:Night-time anti-encroachment drives to be intensifiedStrict action against illegal food trucks and vending vehiclesCoordination with RTO during vehicle-related actionAdvance scheduling of drives to be shared with police# Police RoleCP Ravinder Kumar Singal assures full support to NMCAim to improve law and order alongside clearing encroachments# Civic MeasuresRemoval of illegal constructions and building materials from roadsClearing footpaths for pedestrian safetyIdentification and allocation of designated spaces for hawkers# ObjectiveEnsure safer, congestion-free roadsProvide legal vending opportunitiesImprove urban discipline and city aesthetics# Outcome Expected Better traffic flow and pedestrian accessReduction in crime linked to encroachmentsProgress towards a planned, modern city infrastructure