Parking Wars To Power Woes: What Nagpur’s New Voters Want Fixed First

Nagpur: For many youngsters from city, the upcoming civic polls represent their first encounter with the ballot box, and their expectations from local governance are both clear and uncompromising. From chaotic parking situations to persistent power outages and public safety concerns, first-time voters say they are looking beyond slogans and are keenly focused on everyday civic issues that directly affect their quality of life.Among a range of concerns, parking has emerged as the most pressing issue across several wards. With commercial activity expanding rapidly and residential layouts struggling to keep pace, narrow internal roads and the absence of designated parking spaces have triggered daily confrontations between residents, shopkeepers and commuters. Vehicles parked haphazardly along roadsides choke traffic movement, often leading to arguments and frequent bottlenecks during peak hours. Adding to the problem, several vacant plots in residential pockets have unofficially turned into garbage dumping grounds, creating hygiene hazards and diminishing the liveability of neighbourhoods.Safety and infrastructure are equally high on the agenda for young voters. Shravani Purohit (20), a first-time voter from ward 25, said public safety will influence her choice at the polls. "We need CCTV cameras at every major square and stricter traffic enforcement. Roads near Hingna and Jaitala, which are used daily by college students from Priyadarshini, Raisoni and Lata Mangeshkar institutions, are in poor condition and need urgent repairs. Solutions must balance the safety of pedestrians as well as drivers," she said.Power supply issues have also surfaced as another key grievance. Shrey Verma, a resident of ward 37, said that while road conditions in his area are relatively good, frequent power cuts over the past few months have disrupted daily routines. "Unexpected outages affect work-from-home professionals, students and even basic household activities. Steady electricity supply is something we expect as a basic service," he said.Garbage management and the related stray animal menace continue to trouble residents in older localities. Parikshit Patil, a resident of ward 16, pointed to a long-standing dumping spot near Ajni Square. "Garbage has been accumulating there for years. Cattle and stray animals gather there throughout the day, and around 20–25 dogs often chase vehicles passing by. If the dumping issue is addressed, the stray animal problem will automatically reduce," he said.Sakshi Paradkar, also from ward 16, highlighted the gap between policy announcements and ground-level implementation. "The state has allowed businesses to operate 24/7, but in reality, the necessary infrastructure, parking arrangements and security measures are missing. Without proper planning, extended business hours only add to congestion and chaos," she said. Inputs by Bhagyashree Hemrajani