Marking the 75th foundation year of the , Union Minister called for meaningful, people-centric initiatives to commemorate the milestone, urging the civic body to translate the celebration into concrete development outcomes.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for former mayors and deputy mayors at the NMC headquarters, Gadkari proposed the creation of 75 playgrounds across the city to symbolise the platinum jubilee year. He stressed that several impactful projects could be executed without placing a significant financial burden on the municipal exchequer.
With the civic budget approaching, Gadkari said he would offer suggestions once the new Standing Committee Chairperson begins preparations. He strongly opposed any immediate increase in property tax. “If additional revenue is required, the focus should first be on recovering pending dues from defaulters,” he said, noting that tax hikes often penalise honest citizens while habitual defaulters go unchecked. Currently, outstanding property tax and water bills together exceed Rs 1,200 crore.
Reflecting on the NMC’s legacy, Gadkari emphasised the need to preserve its institutional history. He proposed the creation of a digital archive documenting the corporation’s journey and the contributions of former mayors and deputy mayors to inspire future generations. He also suggested improved facilities and concessions for former office-bearers, recognising their bipartisan efforts in shaping Nagpur’s urban growth.
Several former mayors — Kunda Vijaykar, Dayashankar Tiwari, Vasundhara Masurkar, Pandurang Hivarkar, Archana Dehankar, Anil Sole, Nanda Jichkar, Rajesh Tambe and Kishor Dorle — were felicitated at the event. Family members of deceased former office-bearers were also present, lending an emotional touch to the ceremony. The programme began with a tribute to Nagpur’s first Mayor, , honouring his pioneering contribution. A special recognition was conferred upon for his service to the city.
Describing the role of a corporator as one of the most demanding in public life, Gadkari observed that while becoming an MLA, MP or minister may seem easier, corporators are directly accountable to citizens from early morning each day, often with limited financial resources. Even when funds are sanctioned, procedural bottlenecks frequently delay implementation, he noted.
MLA Vikas Thakre urged corporators to safeguard their authority and act firmly against corrupt officials. Mayor Neeta Thakre assured that Gadkari’s suggestions would be given serious consideration and appropriate instructions would be issued to the administration.
The event was attended by several political and administrative dignitaries, including MLAs Krishna Khopde, Praveen Datke and Mohan Mate, MLC Sandeep Joshi, Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, Leader of the House Narendra (Balya) Borkar, Leader of Opposition Sanjay Mahakalkar, Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, and Additional Commissioners Vasumana Pant and Vaishnavi B.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com