A natural nullah passing through Parvati Nagar and Howrah Peth has shrunk from 25 feet to just 2 feet due to rampant encroachments and civic apathy, raising fears of serious flooding as monsoon nears.
Once a vital water channel, the nullah now lies clogged with plastic waste, silt, debris, and even carcasses. Narrowed and neglected, it poses a grave threat to nearby residents, particularly children. “If a child falls in, they could be swept away,” warned Rekha Pawar, a Parvati Nagar resident.
Despite falling under the Dhantoli zone of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), locals say no substantial action has been taken. The nullah is often inaccessible to cleaning machines due to illegal construction along its banks. “This is not just a roadside drain — it’s a natural nullah. Blocking it is illegal and life-threatening,” said civic activist Ramesh Tiwari.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court had earlier ordered the NMC to clear all obstructions and ensure cleaning with machinery suited to the original nullah width. But residents claim these orders are routinely flouted. “The NMC sends undersized cleaning vehicles or skips the area entirely,” said Akshay Wankhede.
With the monsoon approaching, the stagnant, choked nullah is now a breeding ground for diseases. Locals are demanding immediate de-silting, removal of encroachments, and restoration of the nullah’s original width.
As of now, the NMC remains silent.
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