NMC completes over 90% works, but contractors unpaid; key projects stall across Nagpur’s backward localities
The state government’s Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance has sanctioned ₹21.85 crore for improving civic amenities in Nagpur’s backward localities under the Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Social Development Scheme over the last three years. However, only ₹5.37 crore — barely 24.57% of the approved amount — has actually been released, severely affecting development in slum pockets across the city.
Even as the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has completed over 90% of the tendered works, contractors have stopped further operations due to non-payment of bills. With the entire government present in Nagpur for the Winter Session, residents are hoping stalled projects will finally receive attention.
Municipal records show a consistent shortfall in fund release. In 2024–25, projects worth ₹5 crore were approved, but only ₹50 lakh has been released. In 2022–23, just ₹1.37 crore was disbursed against sanctioned works of ₹6.85 crore, while in 2023–24, only ₹3.50 crore of the ₹10 crore approved was released.
Major projects have been hit badly. In Ashok Chowk–Rahatekar Wadi and Lakdipul–Sweeper Colony (Gangabai Ghat), ₹4 crore was sanctioned for drainage retaining walls in 2022–23. Although the work is fully completed, NMC has received only ₹80 lakh, leaving ₹3.20 crore pending. In Babulkheda, construction of the Trisharan Buddha Vihar has stalled after only ₹20 lakh of the sanctioned ₹1 crore was released.
Similarly, in north, west and central Nagpur, 12 slum development works — including road construction, gutter lines and ground beautification — received administrative approval of ₹1.40 crore. Yet, only ₹28 lakh has been disbursed, even though work worth ₹59 lakh is complete.
The shortage of timely funds has left dozens of essential civic works stranded midway. Unless the department releases the remaining sanctioned amount, NMC officials warn that development in some of Nagpur’s most vulnerable settlements will remain paralysed.
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