The Nagpur Metro Region Development Authority (NMRDA) has issued notice to 1280 industrial units in Nagpur district terming their construction as illegal. The notice has led to huge resentment among the trade and industrial fraternity of the city.
Organisations like Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) and Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC) have criticized the NMRDA for issuing notices to the industrial units that are operating for over 20 years in the city.
Now, the traders’ wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) too has raised the issue with Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and NMRDA chief Sangeeta Ugale. A delegation of NCP traders’ wing led by its president Swapnil Ahirkar met Ugale at NIT office and apprised her of the consequences which may occur if over 1200 industrial units are closed.
They said, nearly 90,000 people will become jobless upon closure of these industrial units. Most of these industries came into existence over 20 years ago. At that time, Nagpur city limit was five kilometers. However, with rise in population, city limit was increased to 10 kilometers. In 2017, Nagpur got Metro Region status and the limit was increased to 25 kilometers.
According to NMRDA, the industrial units are not in accordance with the current rules laid for Nagpur Metro Region. Hence, these industrial units have been declared illegal. Proper space was not left in these units as per 2012 guidelines. It was also claimed by the NMRDA that approval from concerned authorities were not taken.
Countering NMRDA claim, NCP traders’ wing said that all the industrial units, which are facing closure due to new regulations, were constructed in accordance with the existing laws then. Proper space was left and all necessary approvals were also obtained. It was because of such unwanted action, many industrialists are mulling to take their business to neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Traders have urged the government to revoke the new guidelines issued for Nagpur Metro Region.
