Nagpur’s iconic Zero Mile Stone, a landmark tied to India’s colonial-era mapping history, continues to suffer from severe neglect despite repeated reminders from the judiciary and heritage experts.
Installed in 1907 as part of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, the sandstone pillar once served as the reference point for measuring distances across undivided India. More than a century later, the structure stands in a dismal state, surrounded by overgrown vegetation that covers its base, hides inscriptions and even obscures the crucial “Zero” marking on the board behind it.
The damage goes beyond appearance. The monument, which should function as a key symbol of Nagpur’s historical identity, now frustrates visitors who arrive hoping to photograph what is popularly known as the “centre of India.” Instead, they encounter a worn-out roadside marker. The neglect stands out even more given the stone’s location near Vidhan Bhavan, especially as the city prepares to host the State Legislature’s Winter Session in early December.
A suo motu Public Interest Litigation highlighting years of neglect is still pending before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. In August 2024, the court criticised authorities for failing to allot funds, provide security or initiate conservation work.
A restoration proposal supported by the government and corporate CSR partners exists but remains stalled. Officials cite bureaucratic delays, land-use conflicts and administrative inertia as reasons for the lack of progress.
For now, the Zero Mile Stone stands as a stark reminder of official apathy instead of a marker of national significance. The administration faces increasing pressure to comply with the High Court’s directions and restore the monument before temporary neglect turns into irreversible loss.
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