Smart City wind down puts Rs866 crore projects in limbo

Nagpur: From generating thousands of e-challans and aiding crime detection through its integrated command and control centre, the Smart City's 3,600-strong CCTV network became one of the most visible successes of Nagpur's urban overhaul. But as Maharashtra govt moves to wind up special purpose vehicles (SPVs), the very system that powered such gains now faces uncertainty, mirroring the larger transition crisis around Rs866.33 crore worth of projects and manpower left in limbo.Implemented through Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Ltd, the city's Smart City programme delivered 45 projects between 2017 and 2026. Of these, 41 works worth Rs736.28 crore were completed, including all 25 pan-city projects and 16 out of 20 in the area-based development (ABD) zone.The transformation of East Nagpur, covering Pardi, Punapur, Bharatwada and Bhandewadi, has been significant. Cement roads, bridges, an underpass, a 20 MLD sewage treatment plant, police and fire stations, multi-skill centres, and Rs81.72 crore ‘Home Sweet Home' housing project reshaped basic infrastructure. Pan-city initiatives introduced e-buses, e-rickshaws, smart schools, e-libraries, robotic sewer cleaners and smart bins.This infrastructure push also triggered a sharp rise in land prices across the 1,730-acre ABD area, from around Rs1,000 per sq ft to Rs3,000-Rs4,000, reflecting improved connectivity and civic amenities.However, with the state govt dismantling SPVs and transferring responsibilities back to urban local bodies, the transition has exposed serious cracks. Only a limited number of projects have been formally handed over to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), while several high-value assets remain stuck in procedural delays.Key projects awaiting handover include housing project, multi-level car parking facilities, major roads, bridges, feeder pipelines and sewerage infrastructure. Even smaller but critical assets like e-toilets and traffic signal systems are yet to be fully transferred due to pending rectifications.A major hurdle continues to be rehabilitation of 186 project affected persons (PAPs), stalled due to non-availability of 16 acres of land from Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). The land, currently occupied by brick kilns, has delayed resettlement and left multiple road stretches incomplete due to right-of-way disputes. At least eight roads remain partially constructed, while over 20km of roads were not taken up.Municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar has called a meeting with NIT officials on April 29 to resolve the deadlock. Meanwhile, a delegation of SPV employees, around 20 of whom now face uncertain future, met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who assured intervention, including exploring alternative rehabilitation options and taking up staff concerns with the administration.Operational clarity is also missing. While the CCTV network's operation and maintenance has been assigned for five years, there is no clear roadmap on who will ultimately control and monitor the system after the SPV's exit.Pending contractor bills, delayed permissions and time extension proposals further complicate the closure process. As Nagpur's Smart City chapter draws to a close, the focus shifts from building infrastructure to ensuring its seamless handover, without leaving behind incomplete systems, stranded assets and unresolved human costs.INFOBOX: NAGPUR SMART CITY AT A GLANCETotal Projects: 45Total Cost: Rs 866.33 croreProjects Completed: 41 (Rs 736.28 crore)ABD Projects: 20 (16 completed, 3 ongoing, 1 stalled)Pan-City Projects: 25 (all completed)KEY INFRA HIGHLIGHTS3,600+ CCTV cameras with ICCC20 MLD Sewage Treatment PlantMulti-level car parking (Sitabuldi, Maskasath, Itwari)Police station, fire station, multi-skill centre‘Home Sweet Home' housing project (Rs 81.72 cr)E-buses, e-rickshaws, smart schools, e-librariesIMPACTLand rates up from ~Rs1,000 to Rs3,000-Rs4,000 per sq ft in ABD areaDevelopment across 1,730 acres in East NagpurPENDING ISSUES186 PAPs yet to be rehabilitated16 acres land stuck with NIT (brick kilns)20 staff in uncertainty post-SPV wind-upKey projects yet to be handed over to NMCCRITICAL CONCERNSCCTV monitoring post-SPV unclearPending contractor dues and approvalsIncomplete roads due to land disputes