Sane Guruji Garden in Mahal to get Rs16.5 lakh facelift Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has approved a project worth Rs16.5 lakh for the beautification of the Sane Guruji Garden in Mahal. Located adjacent to the NMC’s zonal office, the garden is set to undergo a comprehensive renovation aimed at enhancing its recreational value and appeal to local residents. Officials emphasized that the initiative will focus on creating improved facilities for physical activity and relaxation, with a dedicated yoga zone planned to encourage healthier lifestyles in a tranquil outdoor setting. In addition to the yoga area, the project includes the installation of a green gym equipped with open-air fitness equipment. This will provide residents with access to exercise options that blend nature with physical wellness. The NMC also plans to upgrade the garden’s infrastructure, repairing and strengthening existing fencing to improve security. Enhanced lighting systems will be installed to ensure the space remains safe during early mornings and evenings. Worn-out pathways within the garden will be relaid to improve navigation and comfort for visitors. Drainage systems will be overhauled to prevent waterlogging during the monsoon season, ensuring the garden remains functional and accessible throughout the year. The tender for the project has already been issued, and officials stated that the work is expected to be completed three to four months after the commissioning process begins. An official from the NMC’s public works department confirmed to The Times of India that the initiative is part of the corporation’s broader strategy to modernize public gardens and open spaces across Nagpur. The goal is to create cleaner, safer, and more engaging environments for citizens.#times_of_india #mahal #nagpur_municipal_corporation #sane_guruji_garden #nmc_public_works_department
Taps run dry, but 40% water goes down drain, NMC can’t find a fix Residents of Nagpur are facing a severe water crisis as the city’s municipal corporation struggles to address widespread leaks, illegal connections, and declining water supply. With summer temperatures rising, the situation has worsened, leaving households grappling with low water pressure, erratic distribution, and even contaminated water. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has acknowledged the problem, but critics argue that the response has been inadequate, leaving the city’s 3.5 million residents in dire straits. Revenue minister and district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has admitted to large-scale water losses, citing a 40% leakage rate due to both infrastructure failures and illegal extraction. He highlighted that commercial establishments in areas like Sitabuldi and Mahal are drawing water beyond sanctioned limits, often using unregulated pumps. While notices have been issued to such entities, Bawankule assured that measures would not unfairly target poor or middle-class households. However, residents remain skeptical, as the crisis continues to deepen. The opposition Congress party, led by Leader of Opposition Sanjay Mahakalkar, has intensified its criticism, accusing the NMC of failing to act decisively. Mahakalkar convened a meeting with Congress corporators and senior water officials on Thursday, where complaints from across the city were raised. Corporator Wasim Khan from Prabhag 8 (central Nagpur) described the situation as “acute,” noting that many areas face daily water shortages. Dinesh Yadav from Prabhag 2 (north Nagpur) reported that residents are receiving contaminated water through taps, raising concerns about public health.#mahal #nagpur_municipal_corporation #sanjay_mahakalkar #chandrashekhar_bawankule #sitabuldi
MSEDCL Plugs In 307 EV Charging Stations Across Nagpur District Nagpur: The district is witnessing a steady shift towards cleaner mobility with an increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs). To support this transition, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) has developed a widespread network of 307 public EV charging stations across the district. According to official data, there are as many as 49,565 electric vehicles currently on Nagpur district roads. With MSEDCL strengthening the charging infrastructure, vehicle owners will get access to fast-charging facilities not only at home but also during travel and emergencies. The state government has appointed MSEDCL as the nodal agency under its electric vehicle policy, tasking it with promoting EV adoption in key cities, including Nagpur, to curb pollution levels. As part of this mandate, the utility is prioritising electricity connections for charging stations and extending technical support to private players interested in entering the sector, in addition to setting up its own facilities. In the urban areas, Mahal leads with 84 stations, followed by Congress Nagar with 66, Civil Lines with 45, Butibori with 40, and Gandhibagh with 17 stations. In the rural belt, Mouda has 26 stations, Saoner 16, Katol 7, and Umred 6 stations. MSEDCL has also introduced the ‘PowerUp EV’ mobile application, which enables users to locate nearby charging stations, check availability, and book slots in advance, making the charging process seamless. Officials said the initiative has also opened up new opportunities for entrepreneurs, with a simplified application process now in place for setting up charging stations.#nagpur_district #mahal #masedcl #powerup_ev #congress_nagar
Want To Set Up Stalls On Footpaths? Pay Rs700 Rent Daily, & It’s All Yours Nagpur: Despite a recent exposé revealing footpaths being illegally rented out for Rs6,000 per month, residents and small traders in Gandhibagh allege the practice has evolved into a highly organized extortion network. Vendors operating in the area now reportedly pay daily rent ranging from Rs500 to Rs700 to set up stalls on public roads and footpaths, with additional deposits of Rs30,000 to Rs50,000 demanded upfront. Those who refuse to comply face threats of violence, including physical harm or forced removal. The situation has worsened near key locations such as the post office and ATM kiosks, where footpaths are nearly inaccessible. A juice stall in Itwari, for instance, pays Rs1,500 daily to operate on a footpath, while residents claim similar issues plague ATM areas, blocking public access. Locals have complained to bank managers about blocked entrances, but no action has been taken. They argue that footpaths, which belong to the municipal corporation, are now effectively controlled by private groups collecting money. Residents warn that the problem is escalating into a citywide crisis. Five to seven local groups are reportedly operating separate networks, charging daily cash to hawkers who work until 1 am. Fights are said to occur almost daily, with fears that Gandhibagh could mirror the encroachment chaos seen on Sitabuldi main road. The issue is no longer confined to one area, with similar complaints emerging from Mahal, Sadar, Sakkardara, Dharampeth, Gokulpeth, and Indora. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) enforcement department, which includes a centralised squad and zonal teams, has failed to address the problem effectively.#mahal #nagpur_municipal_corporation #gandhibagh #sitabuldi_main_road #sadarpeth
LPG Crisis In 3rd Week: eKYC Logjam Keeps Queues Swelling Nagpur: As the LPG supply disruption linked to the West Asia conflict enters its third week, the situation remains tense with new challenges emerging. While some stability has been observed in fuel distribution, the process of completing eKYC verification has become a major bottleneck, causing long queues at gas agencies across the city. Officials noted that a significant portion of daily visitors to these centers are individuals who failed to complete the eKYC process earlier and are now arriving alongside those seeking refills. This has exacerbated the already crowded conditions at the agencies. Distributors are currently managing two distinct categories of consumers: those requiring routine refills or new connections, and those with pending eKYC verification. The additional verification process for the latter group is contributing to extended wait times at counters. Sharad Saraf, an agency representative, explained that while the compliance requirement for eKYC has been in place for over a year, a backlog has now emerged. "Many consumers delayed completing eKYC despite repeated advisories. Now they are coming in simultaneously, which is increasing the footfall at agencies," he said. The verification process has created significant hurdles for several residents. "OTP failures linked to outdated Aadhaar-registered mobile numbers remain a recurring issue, forcing many to update their details before completing eKYC," Saraf added. "Since the LPG shortage is being experienced across the country, the online system is also under heavy load, leading to slower response times." Sunita Petkar, a resident of Mahal, shared her frustration: "I was asked to complete eKYC before getting a refill, but I am not receiving the OTP as my old number is linked.#nagpur #mahal #anand_padole #sharad_saraf #sunita_petkar
Two groups clashed in Mahal over horn honking, leaving two youths injured and causing tension in the area on Monday night. The incident occurred around 10:30 pm in front of a saree store at Badkas Chowk, which falls under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station. The injured individuals were identified as Pankaj Singh and Rishabh Singh. Authorities deployed a significant police presence to the location to prevent any further law and order issues. The altercation, which involved armed individuals, highlights the escalating tensions in the region over minor disputes. Local police are investigating the incident to determine the exact circumstances and identify any additional parties involved. The event has raised concerns about public safety and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.#mahal #badkas_chowk #kotwali_police_station #pankaj_singh #rishabh_singh
Induction Cooktops Surge in Demand Amid LPG Shortage Nagpur: A sudden shortage of LPG cylinders in the city triggered an unprecedented rush for induction cooktops. Retail outlets and online platforms reported that the appliances were sold out or critically low in stock. A check by The Times of India across multiple quick commerce platforms showed induction cooktops were largely unavailable, with most listings marked as sold out and no clear restocking timeline. Similar scenes were reported at electronics stores, where customers enquired in large numbers and were placed on waiting lists. Retailers attributed the surge in demand to delays in LPG cylinder availability, prompting households to seek electric cooking alternatives. Induction cooktops, seen as an immediate and convenient substitute, disappeared from shelves as demand spiked over recent days. Santosh Taori, an electronics dealer, noted the pace of stock depletion was unprecedented. "Even at our stores, the stock is depleting as we speak. The demand surged nearly 25 times compared to normal days," he said. Taori added that the trend is not limited to Nagpur but is being witnessed nationwide. "Even our bulk suppliers are seeing very high demand. Fresh consignments are also getting booked quickly," he explained. The buying pattern also shifted, with customers purchasing multiple units. "People are coming in and buying one for current use and sometimes another as a backup. Many households are treating it as a safety measure until the LPG supply situation normalizes," Taori said. Shop owners reported continuous customer inquiries but limited stock. A resident of Mahal, Ashok Deo, shared that even on major e-commerce platforms, most induction cooktops were out of stock.#nagpur #the_times_of_india #santosh_taori #mahal #ashok_deo
