Sleepless in Noisy City: Late-Night Construction Activities Irk Citizens Residents of Nagpur are increasingly complaining about the disruptive effects of late-night construction activities, which have become a growing concern amid the city’s rapid development. From neighborhoods like Mahal and Nandanvan to areas such as Godhni, Besa-Pipla, and Hingna, citizens report that construction work, including drilling, excavation, and the movement of heavy machinery, continues well past midnight. Mahal resident Kishor Tekade highlighted the issue, stating that private projects, government works, and public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives often operate without regard for residents’ sleep. He emphasized the need for strict time limits on such activities. In Godhni, residents allege that construction noise is compounded by disturbances from laborers working late into the night. Akshay Chauhan, a local resident, noted that some workers consume alcohol, play loud music, and engage in arguments after their shifts, forcing residents to intervene. Similarly, Jeevan Thakre of Old Nandanvan described how construction near his home frequently continues until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., with the constant hum of cement mixers, JCB machines, and construction vehicles disrupting sleep, particularly for elderly residents and children. The issue has legal precedents. In 2016, the Bombay High Court issued an order prohibiting construction and renovation activities between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., citing that nighttime noise infringes on residents’ right to sleep. The court directed authorities to enforce compliance with these restrictions. However, many residents in rapidly expanding areas like Besa-Pipla argue that while they support development, they demand adherence to prescribed timings and noise norms.#nagpur #mahal #nandanvan #besa_pipla #godhni
Flyover Work, Unpaved Stretches Choke East Nagpur; Daily Gridlock Hits Key Junctions Nagpur: Narrowed roads, incomplete concretisation work, and non-functional traffic signals amid ongoing flyover construction have turned several key stretches in East Nagpur into daily choke points. Commuters endure long snarls during peak hours, with the worst-affected areas including Jagannath Chowk, Gangabai Ghat Chowk, and connecting stretches from Central Avenue, Nandanvan, Reshimbagh Square, Zenda Chowk, and KDK College. At multiple locations, one side of the road has been concretised while the other remains uneven, unpaved, and strewn with loose gravel and potholes. Barricades around construction zones have further reduced road width, particularly at Gangabai Ghat Chowk, forcing vehicles into narrow lanes and triggering frequent bottlenecks. The absence of functional traffic signals at the junction has compounded the problem, with vehicles converging simultaneously from several directions. Minor accidents and traffic jams have become common. Commuters reported that the situation worsens during evening rush hours, with traffic building up near Jagannath Chowk and adjoining junctions. Long queues of two-wheelers, autorickshaws, buses, and private vehicles are routinely seen inching through the congested stretches. Amit Meshram, a daily commuter from Nandanvan, described the difficulty: “Every evening, it takes nearly 20 minutes to cross Jagannath Chowk. Large portions of the road remain unfinished, and loose gravel along the edges makes the stretch especially dangerous for two-wheelers.” Priya Wankhede, another commuter, noted the challenges at Gangabai Ghat Chowk: “Traffic signals are either non-functional or poorly managed, and vehicles enter the junction from all directions at once.#nagpur #nandanvan #jagannath_chowk #gangabai_ghat_chowk #atul_mohankar
18 Adults Arrested for Exploiting Minors in Criminal Activities Eighteen adults have been arrested for allegedly exploiting and coercing 14 minors into committing various crimes. The arrests were made across six police stations in south and east Nagpur, where eleven cases were registered this year. The offenses allegedly involving minors include vehicle theft, injury, sexual harassment of children, rioting, burglary, and other crimes, according to details provided by the office of DCP (Zone 4) Rashmitha Rao. Police stations such as Nandanvan and Hudkeshwar reported three cases each, while Beltarodi, Ajni, Sakkardara, and Imamwada reported one or two cases respectively. The arrests have prompted the invocation of stringent provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS) section 95, which targets adults who employ children under 18 to commit offenses. This provision mandates a minimum imprisonment of three years, with a potential extension of up to 10 years, along with fines. The law also stipulates that if the underlying crime is committed, the adult faces the same punishment as if they had committed it themselves. Officials emphasized that this provision serves as a strong deterrent against exploiting minors for criminal activities. Senior police officials highlighted that the move aims to disrupt a cycle where adult criminals use vulnerable minors to evade stricter legal scrutiny. Juveniles often receive lenient handling under the Juvenile Justice Act, making them easy targets for exploitation. The new BNS provisions, however, impose severe penalties on adults who orchestrate such crimes, including sexual harassment, theft, and riots. In addition to punitive measures, preventive actions are being taken against the parents or guardians of the minors involved.#nagpur #dc_p_c_zone_4_rashmitha_rao #bharatiya_nagarik_suraksha_sanhita #nandanvan #hudkeshwar
