GIS-based overhaul in works to end repeated road digging in Nagpur: Vipin Itankar

As Nagpur continues to expand, it will have to deal with recurring issues like constant digging and poor restoration of roads, inequitable and irregular water supply, vanishing footpaths and other forms of encroachments that are proving to be impediment in the growth story. The man now at the helm of civic affairs, municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, underscores the need to move beyond reactive governance. In an exclusive interaction during his visit to the TOI office on Monday, Itankar stressed on ensuring long-lasting solutions with coordinated planning, technological integration and financial discipline to align with the vision of city fathers, including chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari.Q. Roads in Nagpur are often dug up, and restoration is poor. Is this a bigger issue than potholes?A. Absolutely. The repeated excavation of roads without proper coordination is the root cause. Different agencies function independently, and there is no unified system to track underground infrastructure. As a result, the same roads are dug up again and again, causing inconvenience to citizens. Poor restoration further weakens the road, making it more prone to damage. Unless this cycle is addressed, pothole repairs alone will not solve the problem. Q. What is the long-term solution?A. We are planning a unified GIS-based platform where all utilities — roads, pipelines, sewer networks, electrical lines and telecom cables — will be mapped in layers. This will ensure that before any excavation, agencies have complete visibility of what lies beneath. It will minimise unnecessary digging and enable scientific restoration. Such a system would not only improve coordination but also support future infrastructure projects, including gas pipelines and smart city expansion.Q. From being the collector to now municipal commissioner, how different is the responsibility?A. The municipal corporation is far more complex in terms of service delivery. It involves over 40 departments handling critical urban functions. Unlike the collector's largely regulatory role, this is execution-heavy and directly linked to citizen services. It is also a democratic setup involving elected representatives and committees, which adds another layer of coordination. While decision-making may take longer, the outcomes tend to be more robust. Once decisions are taken collectively, implementation becomes smoother and more sustainable. Q. Is governance more difficult now compared to the earlier administrator-led system? A. Not necessarily, but it is more participative. Earlier, decisions were fast because they were centralised. Now, proposals go through multiple levels of scrutiny, including committees and the general body. This improves transparency and ensures better quality. The shift reflects a broader move toward inclusive governance, where accountability is distributed across institutions. Q. What are your top priorities for Nagpur?A. The first is to ensure assured and equitable water supply across the city. The second is completing major infrastructure projects, particularly the Nag River pollution abatement initiative, within stipulated timelines. The third is strengthening the financial position of the municipal corporation. To support these goals, the civic body is targeting approximately Rs1,000 crore in revenue through improved property tax collection, land monetisation and efficient use of civic assets. Financial strength is critical. Without it, sustaining and expanding civic services becomes difficult. Q. Encroachments and parking issues continue to affect roads and footpaths. A. Encroachments are multi-layered. They include street vendors, shop extensions, hoardings and misuse of public spaces. All these reduce effective road width and make footpaths unusable. Parking pressure has also increased significantly. The administration is adopting a two-pronged approach: enforcement and rehabilitation. We will act against encroachments while also creating designated vending zones. Existing parking norms will be enforced, along with better utilisation of designated spaces. Ultimately, it requires both planning and civic discipline. Q. Flooding, river pollution and lake degradation remain major concerns. A. Flooding and pollution are interconnected issues. We are addressing them through integrated projects under national missions and externally aided programmes. These include expanding sewer networks, setting up treatment infrastructure and diverting untreated sewage. Work on the Japan International Cooperation Agency-backed river rejuvenation project is expected to begin within the next few months, with tenders in the final stages and land acquisition underway. Encroachments along the river will be addressed firmly. NMC is also focusing on restoring water bodies. Plans include deploying a permanent weed removal machine at Ambazari Lake to tackle water hyacinth and establishing a 12 MLD sewage treatment plant to prevent untreated discharge. These steps aim to improve water quality and restore ecological balance. Q. Staff shortages have been flagged repeatedly. What is the strategy going forward?A. Recruitment is being carried out in phases. Clerical recruitment is completed, and 500-600 sanitation workers are being inducted. Recruitment for the fire department will follow once the state policy is finalised. However, if administrative expenditure exceeds limits, development work suffers. So, recruitment must be aligned with financial sustainability. Q. What is the status of Nagpur airport modernisation and Mihan's development? A. The modernisation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport involves multiple stakeholders, including the Airports Authority of India, the Air Force and both state and central govts. Most technical and procedural issues have been resolved, and we are awaiting final cabinet approval. Once cleared, the project will move to the concessionaire stage, marking a key milestone in the city's infrastructure development.On the industrial front, the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur has seen steady expansion. In the past two years, 400-500 acres have been allotted to industries. Major players in IT, aerospace and emerging sectors like solar and drones are establishing operations. Infrastructure gaps are being addressed to sustain growth.