Pollution-free Nagpur by 2047: Bawankule seeks action blueprint

Nagpur: Raising serious concerns over growing pollution across Nagpur district, state revenue minister and guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday directed officials to prepare a comprehensive short- and long-term action plan within three months to tackle air, water and industrial pollution.Chairing a high-level meeting, Bawankule said pollution caused by thermal power plants, paper mills and untreated sewage has become a major threat to agriculture, rivers and public health across the district. He announced that an action group headed by the district collector would coordinate the initiative and hinted at the formation of a dedicated foundation for a "Pollution-Free Nagpur"."Development is important, but pollution caused by industries and thermal plants cannot be ignored," Bawankule said, pointing to ash pollution affecting nearly 42 villages and untreated wastewater being discharged into the Nag, Pili, Kanhan and Kolar rivers.The minister directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to initiate strict action against industries, companies and even govt depts found responsible for pollution. Notices should be issued without hesitation, he said, adding that accountability must be fixed at every level.Bawankule stressed that the proposed blueprint should not rely solely on official inputs and must include participation from environmental experts, voluntary organisations and institutions such as National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. He said the final plan should clearly define responsibilities of all agencies, including the NMC, NMRDA, zilla parishad and district administration.The meeting also discussed pollution complaints linked to ash and black smoke issues in Nagardhan area, and contamination allegedly caused by a paper mill in Heti MIDC.Separately, Bawankule reviewed preparations for the kharif season and warned banks against negligence in crop loan disbursal. Stating that farmers should not face delays during the sowing season, he directed banks to remain in constant coordination with the district administration and cautioned that strict action would be taken against officials failing to meet targets.