Fuel Prices Surge Again in Nagpur as Petrol Nears Rs 112, Diesel Hits Rs 99 Nagpur, India — Fuel prices in Nagpur surged once more on Monday, with petrol and diesel rates climbing by nearly Rs 3 per litre within a week. The latest revision pushed petrol prices in the city close to the Rs 112 mark, while branded fuel surpassed Rs 120 per litre. Petrol now retails at Rs 111.70 per litre, up from Rs 108.07, and diesel prices climbed to Rs 98.90 per litre, compared to Rs 95.58 the previous week. Branded petrol prices also spiked sharply, reaching Rs 120.79 per litre against an earlier rate of Rs 118.06. The price hike comes amid growing concerns over global crude oil supply, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent emphasis on austerity and responsible fuel consumption has further intensified public scrutiny of the situation. District collector Kumar Ashirwad addressed these concerns during a review meeting on Monday, assuring citizens that adequate fuel stocks are available in Nagpur and urging them to avoid panic buying or hoarding. According to the district administration, fuel reserves across Nagpur are sufficient to meet demand for the next 3 to 6 days. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), which operates 99 petrol pumps in the district, currently holds 1,265 kilolitres (KL) of petrol and 1,497 KL of diesel. The company’s outlets record an average daily sale of 301 KL petrol and 468 KL diesel. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), with 143 pumps in the district, maintains the highest reserves, holding 2,494 KL petrol and 3,830 KL diesel. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), operating 136 pumps, has 1,280 KL petrol and 2,050 KL diesel in stock.#nagpur #narendra_modi #bharat_petroleum_corporation_limited #hindustan_petroleum_corporation_limited #kumar_ashirwad
Voter Verification Drive in Nagpur Surpasses 67% in Rural Areas, 45% in City Nagpur district authorities have made significant progress in a voter verification campaign, achieving 67% coverage in rural areas and 45% in urban regions within two weeks. The initiative, led by district collector Kumar Ashirwad, aims to update electoral rolls, correct errors, and ensure all eligible voters are included ahead of upcoming elections. Officials reported that verification rates had previously stood at 30% in rural areas and 45% in the city, but the campaign has accelerated these figures through coordinated efforts. The drive involves collaboration between electoral registration officers, assistant officers, supervisors, and party representatives at the ground level. Ashirwad emphasized that the verification process is a "national duty" and credited the improvement to the collective efforts of administrative staff and local workers. He urged citizens to participate actively to prevent any eligible voter from being excluded. Nagpur, which had lagged behind other districts earlier, saw direct engagement from the collector with booth-level officers (BLOs) to address on-ground challenges. Underperforming officials received targeted training, while party agents were encouraged to support the process fully. Among the 12 assembly constituencies in the district, Katol achieved the highest verification rate at 75%, followed by Umred at 83%, Ramtek at 84%, Saoner at 68%, Hingna at 53%, and Kamptee at 56%. In urban Nagpur, Nagpur South-West recorded 46.37%, Nagpur Central 53%, West 41%, North 43%, East 44%, and South 42%. The campaign is part of pre-SIR (State Information and Recruitment) mapping efforts to ensure electoral rolls are accurate and up-to-date.#nagpur #nagpur_district #kumar_ashirwad #katol_constituency #umred_constituency
Voter Verification Drive in Nagpur Surpasses 67% in Rural Areas, 45% in City Nagpur: With an intensive, ground-level push to clean up electoral rolls, the Nagpur district administration has significantly accelerated voter verification, raising coverage from 30% to 67% in rural areas and 45% in the city within just two weeks. The drive, led by district collector Kumar Ashirwad, aims to ensure that all eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll and that errors in voter details are corrected ahead of upcoming elections as part of pre-SIR mapping. Officials noted that the verification rate stood at just 30% a fortnight ago. The sharp rise has been attributed to tighter coordination between electoral registration officers, assistant electoral registration officers, supervisors, booth level officers, and booth level agents from various parties. Ashirwad described voter verification as "national duty" and credited the improvement to joint efforts at every level, from administrative officers to ground staff. He urged citizens to actively participate in the process to ensure no eligible voter is left out. Nagpur, which had lagged behind other districts earlier, saw direct interactions between the collector and booth level officers (BLOs) to identify on-ground challenges. Officials with lower performance were given targeted training, while party booth level agents (BLAs) were asked to extend full cooperation. Among the 12 assembly constituencies in the district, Katol recorded a verification rate of 75%, followed by Umred at 83%, Ramtek at 84%, Saoner at 68%, Hingna at 53%, and Kamptee at 56%. In urban Nagpur, Nagpur South-West stood at 46.37%, Nagpur Central at 53%, West at 41%, while Nagpur North was at 43%, East at 44%, and South at 42%.#nagpur #nagpur_district #district_collector #kumar_ashirwad #electoral_registration_officers
Black & Dead: Iron Ore Unit’s Coal Dust Blankets Cotton Farms In Neri Neri village in Kamptee taluka is facing a severe pollution crisis that threatens both human health and agricultural livelihoods. Coal dust emissions from a nearby iron ore processing unit have turned once-thriving cotton fields into barren stretches coated in black soot. The crisis has escalated to the point where villagers, frustrated by years of inaction from authorities, are preparing to stage protests demanding urgent intervention. The factory, which resumed operations in November 2025 after a decade-long shutdown since 2008, has caused widespread contamination across the village. Fine coal particles have blanketed rooftops, open spaces, and the village’s primary water tank, raising serious concerns about drinking water safety and long-term health risks. Farmers report devastating damage to their cotton crops, which were once referred to as “white gold.” The black dust has rendered the crops unsellable, with one farmer stating that the market value of their harvest dropped from Rs 7,000 per quintal to less than Rs 4,000. Villagers have also reported a sharp rise in respiratory ailments, particularly among children and the elderly. Sarpanch Sujata Patil, who has been pushing for action from authorities, described the situation as dire, noting that even simple activities like visiting the village’s Hanuman temple—once a hub for religious gatherings—now leave visitors with shoes coated in dust. The temple’s verandah, where families used to gather for meals, is now avoided due to the pervasive contamination. The gram panchayat has repeatedly submitted complaints and memorandums to authorities, but these have gone unanswered.#kumar_ashirwad #neri_village #kamptee_taluka #iron_ore_unit #sujata_patil
Police Warn Striking Cabbies Of Legal Action Amid Airport Blockade Nagpur: A group of app-based cab drivers, who have been on strike for four days, continue to block airport pick-up and drop services, prompting the police to issue warnings about potential legal consequences. The strike, which began as a protest against fare rates and the inclusion of bike riders in ride-sharing platforms, has disrupted airport operations. Police authorities have summoned union leaders and emphasized that any formal complaint alleging the forced stopping of vehicles could lead to legal action against the striking drivers. However, no such complaints have been filed so far, according to a senior police official. The drivers, affiliated with the Taxi Chalak Malak Kruti Samiti union, are demanding higher fare rates from aggregators like Ola and Uber, as well as the removal of bike riders from the app. They argue that bike riders, who are not required to follow RTO rules, are undermining the business of cab drivers. The union chose the airport as a protest site, hoping to draw attention from the government and aggregators by causing inconvenience to flyers. Despite the strike, the police have arranged a meeting between union representatives and district collector Kumar Ashirwad. Deepak Sane, a member of the Kruti Samiti, stated that the district collector has promised a second round of discussions. However, Sane emphasized that representatives from the aggregators must also be present for a resolution. "The final decision lies with the companies, not the government," he added. The union’s tactics involve urging other cabbies to drop passengers near Pride Hotel instead of proceeding to the airport terminal. Sane clarified that drivers who refuse to comply are not being stopped, and exceptions are made for families with children.#nagpur #uber #kumar_ashirwad #taxi_chalak_malak_kruti_samiti #ola
Auto Unions Demand Immediate Action on LPG Crisis as Maharashtra Faces Supply Shortages Nagpur: A delegation representing the Autorickshaw Association United Federation of Maharashtra and the Nagpur District Auto Driver Owners Federation met with collector Kumar Ashirwad to address the ongoing LPG shortage, which has disrupted autorickshaw operations across the state. Led by state executive president Charandas Wankhede, the delegation submitted a memorandum to the chief minister, urging urgent measures to restore regular LPG supply at government rates. The union emphasized that millions of autorickshaws in Maharashtra rely on LPG, making it a vital and affordable mode of public transport while also serving as the primary livelihood for thousands of drivers. The delegation accused the government of systemic irregularities in LPG distribution, including the shutdown of gas pumps, restricted access to supply, and inflated pricing. These practices were described as violations of the Essential Commodities Act, Legal Metrology Act, and Consumer Protection Act. The union demanded strict enforcement against hoarding, black marketing, and overpricing, along with regular inspections by authorities to ensure compliance. Among their key demands, the union sought a dedicated LPG quota for autorickshaws to guarantee uninterrupted services. They also called for monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to drivers who have been forced to halt operations due to fuel scarcity, through the Dharmveer Anand Dighe Autorickshaw Drivers Welfare Board. The union warned of potential escalation, stating it would organize peaceful protests across the state if immediate action was not taken. They cautioned that any resulting law and order issues would be the administration’s responsibility.#kumar_ashirwad #nagpur_district_auto_driver_owners_federation #charandas_wankhede
Ashirwad Takes Charge as Collector, Focuses on Administrative Review and Priorities Nagpur: IAS officer Kumar Ashirwad assumed his role as Nagpur district collector on Monday, succeeding Vipin Itankar. His first official actions included convening a meeting with department heads to evaluate ongoing schemes, administrative functions, and key initiatives. Ashirwad also conducted a tour of the district collectorate, visiting various departments to engage directly with officials and staff. This hands-on approach aimed to understand internal workflows and ensure seamless governance. A key focus of his initial tenure was preparing for the upcoming visit of President Droupadi Murmu, scheduled for April 15 and 16. The President is set to attend programs at the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT) and AIIMS in Nagpur. Ashirwad assessed security, logistical arrangements, and inter-departmental coordination, issuing clear directives to ensure the event’s success. Outlining his immediate priorities, Ashirwad emphasized the next three to four weeks would be dedicated to gaining a comprehensive understanding of Nagpur’s administrative structure. He plans to meet elected representatives, industrial stakeholders, and social organizations to align his initiatives with local needs. This strategy reflects his commitment to fostering collaboration between the administration and community leaders. Ashirwad, an IIT Kharagpur graduate in civil engineering, was born in 1988 in Jharkhand and joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 2016 as part of the Maharashtra cadre. His career has spanned multiple administrative roles, including assistant collector, collector, and CEO of Zilla Parishad. His leadership in Gadchiroli as ZP CEO was marked by innovative programs in education and child nutrition.#droupadi_murmu #nagpur_district #kumar_ashirwad #national_academy_of_direct_taxes #aiims_nagpur
Ashirwad Appointed Nagpur Collector, Vasumana Pant Takes Charge in Chandrapur Nagpur: Kumar Ashirwad, a 2016 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as the new Nagpur district collector as part of a statewide reshuffle of IAS officers. Currently serving as Solapur collector, Ashirwad is expected to assume his new role in Nagpur on Saturday. A graduate of IIT Kharagpur in civil engineering, Ashirwad, born on March 10, 1988, has previously held positions as assistant collector, assistant secretary, and a stint in Gadchiroli. Speaking to The Times of India, Ashirwad emphasized the administrative importance of Nagpur, stating that his initial focus will be on understanding local challenges and reviewing ongoing development projects. "The first two to three months will involve extensive interactions and knowledge gathering," he said, highlighting the need for careful coordination and governance in the region. Ashirwad’s appointment marks a significant shift in the administrative structure of Maharashtra. Vipin Itankar, who had been serving as additional collector of Nagpur, will now take on his primary role as commissioner of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and additional charge as commissioner of the Maharashtra Agricultural Cooperative Development Corporation (MADC) and the Maharashtra Industrial and Investment Corporation (MIL). This transition underscores the state government’s efforts to streamline responsibilities and ensure efficient governance. The reshuffle also includes several other key appointments across the state. Satyam Gandhi has been named CEO of the Amravati Zilla Parishad, while Varsha Ladda will assume the role of Amravati Municipal Corporation commissioner.#vasumana_pant #kumar_ashirwad #nagpur_collector #chandrapur_collector #maharashtra_state_seeds_corporation
