Blood On Road: Hit-&-Runs Kill 331 In 2024, Does Anybody Care? Nagpur has emerged as the third worst city in India for hit-and-run fatalities, with 327 deaths recorded in 2024, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). This figure marks an 18% increase from the 277 deaths reported in 2023, placing Nagpur behind only Delhi (642 deaths) and Patna (332 deaths) in the national rankings. The city surpassed major metropolitan areas like Mumbai (190 deaths), Bengaluru (204), Hyderabad (227), and Pune (121) in the number of fatalities caused by hit-and-run incidents. The statistics fall under the category of "causing death by negligence relating to road accidents," which includes cases where drivers flee the scene without aiding victims or reporting to authorities. Traffic department records for 2025 reveal 312 hit-and-run accidents, resulting in 96 deaths and 274 injuries. As of the first four months of 2026, 86 cases have been reported, with 24 fatalities and 79 injuries. One of the most shocking incidents occurred in February 2024, when a reckless driver struck two pedestrians at Ram Jhula, sparking widespread public outrage. Similarly, in April 2026, the death of 72-year-old yoga teacher Mangala Kewte in Dharampeth highlighted the issue. Kewte was killed by a speeding SUV during her morning walk, though the driver was eventually arrested. However, many perpetrators continue to evade justice, exacerbating the crisis. The city’s law enforcement faces significant challenges, including a severely underperforming surveillance system. Over 1,300 CCTV cameras remain non-functional, with more than 600 offline, over 150 dismantled or faulty, and the rest plagued by technical and maintenance issues.#nagpur #dharampeth #national_crime_records_bureau #national_crime_records_bureau #ram_jhula #mangala_kewte
Rise in Juvenile Crime Sparks Concern After Minors Murder Engineering Student Nagpur: The brutal murder of a young engineering student by two minors in the city’s affluent Dharampeth locality has ignited public outrage and renewed debates about the alarming rise in juvenile crime. The incident has drawn particular attention because both perpetrators come from well-educated families, with their fathers being a teacher and a civil engineer. This case has brought the growing trend of crimes committed by minors in Nagpur into sharp focus, prompting calls for urgent intervention. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), juvenile crimes in Nagpur surged by 11.4% in 2024, marking a significant escalation from the 254 cases registered in 2023. The number climbed to 283 in 2024, reflecting a worrying trend. The city also ranks third nationally in cases involving minors accused of rape, further intensifying concerns about the increasing violent tendencies among young offenders. The upward trajectory of juvenile crime has been consistent over the past few years. In 2022, Nagpur recorded 210 cases involving minors in conflict with the law, which rose to 254 in 2023—a 20.9% increase. The 2024 figures show an additional 11.41% spike, bringing the total to 283 cases. These numbers highlight a deeper social crisis, as minors are increasingly turning to violent and criminal behavior. Experts attribute the rise in juvenile crimes to a combination of factors, including lack of education, broken family structures, substance abuse, social media influence, and insufficient supervision. According to NCRB data, none of the 351 juvenile offenders identified in Nagpur in 2024 pursued studies beyond Class 12.#nagpur #engineering_student #dharampeth #national_crime_records_bureau #national_crime_records_bureau #kanak_gillurkar
Sole Breadwinner Lost, Chute Family Shattered After 20-Year-Old Stabbed to Death in Dharampeth The small, quiet home of the Chute family in Hudkeshwar, Nagpur, now echoes with the weight of grief. Tushar Chute, a 20-year-old engineering student, was found lifeless after being stabbed by two minors in Dharampeth late Monday night. For his family, the loss of Tushar—a sole breadwinner, emotional anchor, and the sole earning member—has left an indelible mark. His mother, still in a state of shock, has not slept since learning of his murder, repeatedly asking, “What was my son’s fault?” The tragedy has left the family grappling with an unbearable void, their home filled with unfinished dreams and abandoned textbooks. Tushar’s death unfolded in a moment of casual camaraderie. Friends and neighbors recall him as a sincere, hardworking student who balanced his academic pursuits with part-time jobs to support his family. Despite his aspirations to complete his engineering degree and secure a stable future, his life was cut short during a late-night outing with friends. “He was just out with friends, laughing and enjoying like any normal youngster. Within minutes, everything was over,” one friend said, struggling to process the brutality of the incident. The family’s grief is compounded by the suddenness of the tragedy. Tushar’s father, emotionally drained after performing the funeral rites, remained silent as relatives managed visitors and formalities. The family immersed his ashes in the Beena River on Tuesday evening, marking the end of a life that had yet to fully unfold. Relatives described Tushar as a quiet, responsible young man who quietly carried the burdens of his household. His mother, too devastated to speak, broke down repeatedly, her sorrow echoing through the modest home.#hudkeshwar #dharampeth #tushar_chute #chute_family #beena_river
Nagpur's Manual Scavenging Crisis: 65% of Drains Still Cleared by Hand Despite Legal Ban Sanitation workers in Nagpur continue to face hazardous conditions as nearly 65% of the city’s drains remain manually cleaned, defying a legal ban on manual scavenging. Civic records reveal that despite the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits unsafe manual cleaning without protective gear or mechanized support, workers are still being deployed to clear sewerage-choked nullahs. Ground visuals from areas like Gittikhadan show laborers wading through toxic sludge without safety equipment, highlighting a stark gap between policy and practice. According to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) solid waste management department report dated April 29, 227 nullahs across 10 zones were identified for cleaning. Of these, 149—over 65%—were assigned for manual labor, with 107 already cleaned manually and 50 handled using mechanized methods. Another 10 manual operations are ongoing, underscoring the persistent reliance on unsafe practices. Zones such as Gandhibagh, Dharampeth, and Satranjipura reported disproportionately high manual cleaning rates, with 46, 27, and 19 out of 51, 35, and 22 nullahs respectively requiring manual intervention. Critics argue that the NMC’s reliance on manual scavenging is a systemic failure. Activists condemned the civic body for prioritizing paperwork over worker safety, calling the practice a “violation of human rights.” Residents echoed these concerns, questioning the rationale for exposing workers to life-threatening conditions. “If machines are available, why are workers being forced into drains? It’s unsafe for them and inefficient in the long run,” said a resident from Panchsheel Nagar.#nagpur #nmc #gittikhadan #gandhibagh #dharampeth
Vendors With Fake Licences Choke Dharampeth, Repeat Encroachers Warned Of FIRs The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has intensified its crackdown on illegal encroachments in Dharampeth, uncovering a systemic issue of vendors operating with forged licenses and rapidly reoccupying public spaces after evictions. Assistant municipal commissioner (enforcement) Sanjay Kamble confirmed that recent inspections revealed four to five vendors using fake licenses, indicating a coordinated effort to evade enforcement. Officials emphasized that this is not an isolated incident, as a pattern has emerged where vendors produce counterfeit documents to continue their unauthorized activities. The NMC’s enforcement department has launched an inquiry into the matter, signaling a shift from routine eviction drives to stricter legal action. This issue has persisted for years, with vendors repeatedly reoccupying prime areas like VNIT Square, Yashwant Stadium, and Shankar Nagar. These encroachments have led to severe traffic congestion, forcing pedestrians onto roads and creating safety hazards, particularly during peak hours. Kamble highlighted the frustration of officials, who noted that despite repeated evictions, the same individuals return to occupy these spaces, undermining the purpose of enforcement measures. The NMC now plans to escalate its response by filing FIRs against vendors found using fake licenses and those who persistently reoccupy public areas after being evicted. The problem is compounded by the presence of forged documents, some of which bear authentic-looking stamps and precise location details.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #dharampeth #sanjay_kamble #national_urban_livelihoods_mission #vnit_square
Frequent power cuts in blazing summer leaves citizens sweating Nagpur: With temperatures soaring to 44°C on Friday, frequent short-duration power cuts across Nagpur have added to the discomfort of residents, leaving many struggling to cope with the intense heat. Despite assurances from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) and the state government about no load shedding, citizens across several parts of the city have reported recurring outages. The situation has triggered frustration among residents, who say the interruptions are becoming increasingly frequent ahead of peak summer. MSEDCL officials have attributed the disruptions to ongoing pre-monsoon maintenance work aimed at strengthening infrastructure ahead of the rainy season. However, residents claim that apart from scheduled shutdowns, unexpected short-term power cuts are also being reported in multiple areas. Localities such as Narendra Nagar, Dharampeth, Besa, Pratap Nagar, and areas near Kadbi Chowk have witnessed repeated interruptions, disrupting daily routines and affecting essential services. A planned power shutdown in Wathoda and adjoining areas on Saturday is expected to add to the inconvenience. According to MSEDCL, electricity supply will remain suspended from 8am to 12 noon due to urgent technical work on the 11 kV New Wathoda feeder. The scheduled outage will impact areas including Wathoda Chowk, Subhadra Heights, Jayaram Residency, Anmol Nagar, Orange Nagar, and several nearby localities. Residents have been advised to make necessary arrangements in advance, such as storing drinking water and charging essential devices. The power cuts have sparked widespread complaints, with many residents expressing concern over the lack of reliable electricity during the scorching summer months.#nagpur #narendra_nagar #dharampeth #wathoda
New Design Concept Halts Dharampeth Cement Road Work, Leaves Two-Wheeler Riders in Lurch A road concretisation project in Dharampeth, Nagpur, aimed at improving traffic flow between Laxmi Bhavan Square and Gokulpeth Market has instead created hazardous conditions for two-wheeler riders. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has suspended work on the project due to a pending administrative decision regarding a new “healthy footpath” design. While major sections of the road have been upgraded, unfinished stretches near Laxmi Bhavan Square and the Gokulpeth fruit market remain filled with loose gravel and rocky debris, leading to uneven surfaces and accident risks. Local shopkeepers and residents have expressed frustration over the delays and the unsafe conditions. Kamlesh, a shopkeeper at Laxmi Bhavan Square, reported multiple incidents of two-wheeler riders losing balance and falling. “Recently, a youngster fell from his scooter here,” he said. He added that the uneven patches, which are not immediately visible to drivers, force riders to brake suddenly, resulting in skidding or loss of control. A fruit vendor near the Gokulpeth market echoed these concerns, noting that the unfinished footpaths and open drains have left the area in disarray for months. “They’ve left the footpath work incomplete with construction debris scattered everywhere,” he said. “Many now place their carts on the road because the footpaths are inaccessible.” The situation has also disrupted daily activities for local businesses. Fruit vendors, in particular, face challenges as their heavy carts cannot navigate the uneven terrain, forcing them to take longer routes. A roadside vendor highlighted that stray animals frequently fall into open drainage pits, exacerbating the hazards.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #nmc #dharampeth #laxmi_bhavan_square #gokulpeth_market
