Nagpur’s VIP government cottages—Ravi Bhavan and Nag Bhavan—meant to house Maharashtra’s top ministers during the winter assembly session, are in a shocking state of disrepair. What should be high-security, high-maintenance government accommodations have turned into ticking time bombs, riddled with termites and dangerously unstable ceilings.
Last week, disaster nearly struck when the ceiling of Cottage No. 13 at Ravi Bhavan, allotted to Industries Minister Uday Samant, partially collapsed. Though no one was injured, the incident has raised serious questions about the government’s apathy. The Public Works Department (PWD), jolted into action, has now rushed a request to VNIT for an urgent structural audit.
These buildings aren’t small-time assets. The state spends ₹3–5 lakh per Ravi Bhavan cottage and ₹2–3 lakh per Nag Bhavan unit every year on maintenance. Yet, decades-old wooden trusses—infested and hollowed out by termites—are left unchecked. During inspections, officials found termite-damaged beams jutting through ceilings, indicating that a catastrophic collapse could happen any moment.
Built in 1961 and 1971, these cottages sit amid dense vegetation and moisture, a breeding ground for termites. Annual pesticide spraying is ineffective due to the closed roofing design. The danger is real—and immediate.
PWD Sub-Divisional Engineer Sanjay Upadhyay admitted the structural framework is compromised and said no risks will be taken. After VNIT’s audit, a decision will be made—either repair or total roof replacement. A proposal is being prepared for the state government. Repairs are promised before the winter session, but for now, the clock is ticking.
These are not ordinary homes—they house ministers and state leaders. Yet, they’re crumbling. If the government fails to act fast, Ravi and Nag Bhavan won’t just be symbols of decay—they’ll be sites of avoidable tragedy.
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