During a hearing of a public interest litigation in the High Court, the reality of Nagpur’s civic infrastructure came to light. Despite tall claims of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), many chambers remain broken and open, while roads are in a poor state. The High Court-appointed amicus curiae (judicial friend) presented 350 photographs, of which 160 were filed before the court, exposing the gap between NMC’s claims and ground reality.
The photographs revealed dangerous open chambers, pothole-ridden streets, and neglected areas across the city. The High Court took serious note of the matter and directed the civic body to respond within one week. The amicus curiae stressed that these conditions pose risks to both motorists and pedestrians, especially at night.
It was also reported that several roads have not been repaired for more than a year. Though budgets have been allocated, repair work has either not been executed or was delayed. As a result, roads remain in a dilapidated condition, putting citizens at risk on a daily basis.
The amicus curiae was appointed by the court to independently verify conditions and submit findings. After inspecting different parts of the city, photographic evidence was collected and filed before the judges. This evidence contradicted the corporation’s claims and highlighted the need for urgent action.
Adding to the civic body’s embarrassment, another matter related to the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) also came under the court’s notice. Around ₹10.16 crore were sanctioned for rehabilitation of project-affected people in connection with shifting of HT lines and underground cabling, but the victims have not yet received the promised compensation.
According to case details, under the Smart City 2.0 project, the work was linked with underground electric cabling and other relocation activities. While part of the work was executed, the compensation of over ₹10 crore is still pending. Out of the sanctioned ₹11.71 crore, more than ₹1 crore remains unpaid.
Officials further admitted that due to lack of funds and technical reasons, the completion of the scheme itself is under threat. Land acquisition is still incomplete, and hundreds of affected families are waiting for relief. The High Court has sought clear explanations from the authorities about delays in both road repairs and pending rehabilitation payments.
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