No freebies, 24x7 water top BJP manifesto as party defends 3-term NMC rule

Nagpur: The BJP on Sunday released its manifesto for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, placing the long-pending 24x7 water supply at the centre of its pitch while steering clear of blanket freebies. Seeking a fourth consecutive term, the party claimed it fulfilled nearly 90% of the promises made in its 2017 manifesto and projected continuity, infrastructure and fiscal discipline as its core agenda. In contrast to the Congress manifesto, which promises 30,000 litres of free water and free bus services, the BJP limited its freebies offer to free bus travel for senior citizens above 70 years. It matched Congress's proposal to exempt homes up to 500 sq ft from property tax, subject to state govt approval, and said a resolution to this effect was passed in Jan 2022.
City BJP president Dayashankar Tiwari admitted that the 24x7 water supply project is yet to cover the entire city. "While round-the-clock water supply has reached several pockets, infrastructural and logistical constraints prevented full implementation. Completing it citywide will be a priority in the next term," he said. Revenue minister and guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLA Pravin Datke, MLC Parinay Fuke, former MLC Anil Sole and former mayor Nanda Jichkar were present at the release. Tiwari said Nagpur's water infrastructure has expanded significantly, with elevated storage reservoirs increasing from eight in 1997 to 103, strengthening the city's drinking water backbone and preparing it for future growth, particularly if Nagpur is granted metro city status. The manifesto also promises 100% wastewater treatment, expansion of sewerage and river rejuvenation projects, and making Nagpur a lease-free city by ending NIT ground rent. Infrastructure and mobility proposals include new flyovers, road widening, smart traffic systems, CCTV monitoring, Metro Phase III expansion and additional e-buses. Employment measures include skill centres in all six assembly constituencies, women-centric Tejaswini markets, completion of the Jijau Women Empowerment Centre within a year, priority for local youth in civic projects, and a proposal for a mini foreign consulate in Nagpur. BJP Manifesto Highlights• 24x7 water supply expansion; rainwater harvesting mandatory in every building; groundwater recharge measures to ensure adequate water. • Ambazari and major lakes (Futala, Sonegaon, Gandhisagar, Sakkardara Naik) to be rejuvenated, beautified, and linked with tourism. • 100% sewage treatment and zero-landfill push through scientific waste processing and biomining at Bhandewadi. • Greening drive: 25,000 new trees annually, new gardens, and citywide environment improvements. • Transport & mobility: new flyovers, e-buses, women-centric services, Sky Bus feasibility, and multi-level metro-road-rail corridors. • Civic reforms: digital-first services, regular ‘Janata Darbars', property rights for slum dwellers, and lapsed ground rent removal. • Safety & policing: 10 new police stations, 10 new zones, stray-animal-free roads. • Youth & employment: skill centres in all 6 assembly constituencies, youth hubs, e-libraries, start-ups, and internship opportunities. • Women & disabled support: dedicated self-employment markets, reserved facilities in city markets. • Other infrastructure: wholesale fish market at Bhandewadi, commercial complex near Harihar Mandir, completion of unfinished Shankar Nagar building.