Shaadi Season Chokes Roads: NMC Cracks Down On Illegal Pandals

Nagpur: Coming down heavily on illegal wedding pandals that have been choking city roads and footpaths, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has launched a sustained crackdown over the past three months, registering 764 cases and collecting ₹15.6 lakh in fines. This comes after many citizens complained of traffic snarls and congestion due to temporary wedding pandals.The action, led by the civic body's Nuisance Detection Squad (NDS), targeted pandals erected without prior permission, many of which obstructed traffic movement and narrowed pedestrian pathways. Officials said the drive gathered pace during the peak wedding season, when temporary structures mushroomed across residential colonies and main roads.
Zone-wise data reveals that Nehru Nagar recorded the highest number of violations at 222 cases, generating ₹4.4 lakh in fines. Hanuman Nagar followed with 153 cases and ₹3.06 lakh in fines, while Laxmi Nagar reported 131 cases with ₹2.9 lakh collected in penalties. Dhantoli saw 97 cases (₹1.9 lakh), Ashi Nagar 62 cases (₹1.24 lakh), Satranjipura 39 (₹78,000), Mangalwari 31 (₹62,000), and Lakadganj 19 (₹38,000). Dharampeth and Gandhibagh recorded five cases each, with ₹10,000 collected in both zones.Typically, during the wedding season, event planners and citizens erect pandals, assuming these short-term events will not draw attention. However, complaints from commuters and residents about blocked roads, emergency access issues, and pedestrian inconvenience prompted the civic body to intensify monitoring.Month-wise figures show clear escalation in enforcement. November began with 80 cases and ₹1.66 lakh in fines. December saw 177 cases, and recovery of ₹3.8 lakh in fines. January recorded 155 violations, yielding ₹3.1 lakh. February marked the most aggressive phase of the drive, with 352 cases registered and ₹7.04 lakh fine collected — nearly half the total fines in just one month.Members of the NDS, speaking to TOI, said amendments in the classification of offences have strengthened their hands. Illegal wedding pandals are now categorised as a separate offence under the squad's jurisdiction. Earlier treated under general encroachment norms, a specific fine of ₹2,000 is now imposed for a first-time offence if a pandal obstructs roads or hampers traffic flow. Repeat violations attract stricter penalties and immediate removal.With wedding season continuing, civic officials warned that the crackdown will persist across all zones, signalling a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal encroachments on city roads.BOX---------------------DRIVE-INWEDDINGFUNCTION Month-----------------No of Cases----------------Fine (in lakhs)November-----------------80--- -------------------Rs 1.6December----------------177--- ------------------Rs 3.8January-------------------155- --------------------Rs 3.1February------------------352- -------------------Rs 7.04TOTAL----------764------------ --Rs 15.6*****************Zone------------------ Cases---------------Fine CollectedLaxmi Ngr ----------------131------ ----------------Rs 2,94,000Dharampeth ---------------5--- --------------------Rs 10,000Hanuman Ngr----------153------------ ------------Rs 3,06,000Dhantoli-------------------- 97----------------------Rs 1, 94,000Nehru Ngr--------------222-------- ----------------Rs 4,44,000Gandhibagh---------------5---- ---------------------Rs 10,000Satranjipura--------------39-- ----------------------Rs 78,000Lakadganj------------------19- ----------------------Rs 38,000Ashi Ngr-----------------62-- ------------------------Rs 1,24, 000Mangalwari---------------31--- ---------------------Rs 62,000Total-------------------------764----------------------Rs 15,60,000(Figures are from November 18, 2025, to February 23, 2026.)