Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has taken a firm stand to decongest Nagpur and improve urban mobility, directing civic authorities to remove all encroachments from footpaths and roads within eight days.
At a high-level review meeting held at his residence on Sunday (March 29), Gadkari instructed officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) to immediately clear illegal occupations across the city and submit a detailed action report within the stipulated timeframe.
The meeting was attended by Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mayor Nita Thakre, MP Maya Iwnate, MLA Krishna Khopde, and NMC Commissioner Vipin Itankar, along with other senior officials.
Crackdown on encroachments, student-led survey proposed
Taking a strong stance, Gadkari said footpaths are increasingly being occupied by vendors, leaving little space for pedestrians. He directed officials to verify land records of NMC and NIT properties.
To ensure accuracy, he suggested conducting an independent survey through engineering college students to identify land reserved for playgrounds and gardens, and to cross-check official records.
Plan for 75 parks and 75 playgrounds
Marking 75 years of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Gadkari proposed developing 75 new parks and 75 playgrounds across the city. He stressed the need for child-friendly sports infrastructure and proper walking spaces for senior citizens.
River rejuvenation and water supply concerns
Nag and Pohra rivers: Gadkari instructed officials to prepare a high-quality Detailed Project Report (DPR) to utilise the ₹2,400 crore sanctioned by the central government for cleaning and rejuvenating both rivers, warning against any compromise in quality.
Water wastage: Expressing concern over delays in the 24×7 water supply project and nearly 40 per cent water loss due to leakages, he strongly reprimanded OCW officials and called for immediate corrective measures.
Hawker zones and food malls planned
To address traffic congestion caused by roadside markets, Gadkari directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan to develop vegetable and meat markets, food malls, and designated hawker zones on vacant government land.
The directives signal a major push towards making Nagpur cleaner, more organised and pedestrian-friendly, with strict timelines now set for implementation.
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