The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) newly constructed administrative building and advanced laboratory in Civil Lines—built at a cost of ₹18 crore—has remained locked for nearly two years, turning into a symbol of political hesitation and administrative stagnation. Despite being fully constructed in early 2023, the building has not been inaugurated, and the FDA continues to function from limited space on the fifth floor of its current premises.
The structure was formally handed over to the FDA by the Public Works Department on February 3, 2025, yet it remains idle. To add to the embarrassment, the building carries a pending ₹3.53 crore property tax with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Senior FDA officials have refused to comment on the reason for the prolonged delay or on the inauguration schedule, intensifying speculation about political indecision.
The project was initiated in 2018 with the aim of establishing a modern laboratory to provide faster, more accurate food and drug testing. The new lab was expected to reduce sample report delays—which currently extend up to three months—and improve public health safety across Vidarbha. However, due to lack of political will, the facility continues to remain a showpiece rather than a functional public service asset.
With the Maharashtra Legislature’s Winter Session beginning on December 8, attention has once again shifted to whether Food and Drug Administration Minister Narahari Jhirwal will finally inaugurate the building. Public pressure is mounting, with citizens questioning why critical infrastructure funded through taxpayer money remains closed while food and drug testing continues in cramped, outdated facilities.
For now, the fate of the long-delayed FDA building hinges on political resolve during the upcoming session.
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