#neeta_thakre

Hi-Tech Machines Deployed to Remove Water Hyacinth from Ambazari Lake Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has launched an aggressive cleanup drive to combat the invasive spread of water hyacinth in Ambazari Lake, deploying advanced harvester machines to restore the city’s iconic water body ahead of the monsoon season. The initiative, which began last week, involves the use of high-capacity machinery to efficiently remove the aquatic weed, which has long plagued the lake’s ecosystem. The civic body has mobilized a fleet of specialized equipment, including five Pokland machines, two JCBs, several tippers, and two advanced harvesters. Officials emphasized that these machines are designed to handle both submerged and floating vegetation, offering an environmentally friendly solution to manage invasive aquatic plants. Each harvester is capable of removing approximately 4.5 to 5 tonnes of water hyacinth per operation and can clear one to two acres of the lake daily. The project is funded under the environmental protection and pollution control components of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana and the District Mineral Foundation, Nagpur. This funding underscores the government’s commitment to addressing ecological challenges through technological intervention. The machines’ deployment is expected to significantly accelerate the cleanup process, reducing the manual labor required and minimizing disruption to the lake’s surroundings. During a recent inspection, Mayor Neeta Thakre, along with standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare and municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, reviewed the progress of the operation. Corporator Yogesh Pachpor and NMC superintending engineer Shweta Banerjee were also present.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #neeta_thakre #ambazari_lake #pradhan_mantri_khanij_kshetra_kalyan_yojana #district_mineral_foundation

WB Result Echoes In Nagpur: Bengalis Praise Verdict, BJP Celebrates Big Win Over 1,100 kilometers away from Kolkata, the impact of West Bengal's election results resonated strongly in Nagpur, where the Bengali diaspora celebrated the BJP's landslide victory. The party marked the win with a grand "Vijay Utsav" at its Vidarbha regional office in Dhantoli, led by city president Dayashankar Tiwari. The event featured drum beats, firecrackers, and the distribution of Bengal's iconic snack "jhalmuri," symbolizing the BJP's success in the state. Local BJP leaders, including Mayor Neeta Thakre, MLAs Pravin Datke and Krishna Khopde, joined the celebration, chanting slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram." The victory sparked mixed reactions among Bengalis in Nagpur. Retired railway officer Pradeep Mukherjee, originally from Shibpur in Howrah, called the outcome a "collective awakening," linking it to years of economic stagnation. He emphasized that the result represented a shift toward survival and dignity, stating, "If industries revive, people will return. Jobs will follow." Similarly, Jayanti Chakravorty from Manish Nagar highlighted the need for safety and social stability, noting that many had lost faith in law and order. She pointed to the migration of youth from West Bengal in search of better opportunities. However, optimism was tempered with caution. Bomkeysh Biswas, a West Bengal native in Nagpur, attributed the verdict to "overconfidence and misgovernance of TMC" but stressed that development should not come at the cost of cultural identity. "I will never compromise with Bengal's thousand-year-old heritage—language, literature, music, and festivals," he said, adding emotionally, "Aamar Sonar Bangla, aami tomay bhalobashi (My Golden Bengal, I love you).#west_bengal #bjp #dayashankar_tiwari #neeta_thakre #pravin_datke

Digital Census Drive Launches in Nagpur with 3,500 Participants on Day One Nagpur: The first day of the 15-day digital census drive in Nagpur saw 3,500 citizens complete self-enumeration, marking a promising start to the nationwide initiative. The self-enumeration phase, which began on May 1, will run until May 15, after which door-to-door enumeration will take place from May 16 to June 14 using the HLO (house listing operation) mobile application. Deputy municipal commissioner Nirbhay Jain urged residents to actively participate in the self-enumeration process to reduce the workload during the physical survey phase and ensure accurate data collection. The 16th national Census, conducted entirely in digital mode for the first time, emphasizes citizen participation through online self-reporting. Union minister Nitin Gadkari and mayor Neeta Thakre participated in the self-enumeration process, urging residents to contribute to what they termed a crucial national exercise. Several senior officials, including civic chief Vipin Itankar, additional commissioner Ankit, and zone chairpersons, also completed their enumeration digitally. The census portal allows residents to fill in details in 16 languages, enhancing accessibility. According to the 2011 Census, Nagpur had a population of over 24 lakh. For the current exercise, around 4,500 enumerators and 700 supervisors have been deployed across the city. Each enumerator is tasked with collecting data for approximately 800 residents during the field survey phase. Citizens can log on to the official Census portal and complete the process using mobile phones or computers. Upon submission, an 11-digit self-enumeration (SE) ID is generated, which must be preserved and shown to enumerators during their visits.#nagpur #nitin_gadkari #vipin_itankar #nirbhay_jain #neeta_thakre

17-Acre Ghat Land 'Vanishes': Borkar Flags Smart City Role, Seeks Probe Nagpur: Ruling party leader Narendra Borkar accused the Nagpur Smart City administration of drastically reducing the land reserved for a cremation ghat, claiming that nearly 17-17.5 acres of land earmarked in the city’s Development Plan (DP) were reduced to just 1.5-2 acres. Addressing a press conference, Borkar highlighted the severe congestion at the Pardi ghat, a site used by residents of areas such as Pardi, Bhandewadi, Punapur, and Bharatwada, which has become a bottleneck during peak times for last rites. "If four people arrive at once, two have to wait. This is the condition of a facility that sees lakhs during peak rituals," he said, emphasizing the growing strain on the site. Borkar alleged that the original DP had reserved 35 acres for ghat development, with 17.5 acres specifically allocated for the Pardi ghat. However, under the Smart City regime, the reservation was reportedly altered without clear documentation. He criticized officials for being unaware whether the DP reservation still existed, raising questions about the legitimacy of the changes. "How was the land 'handed over'? Were private interests involved? Who gave away the land? Under whose orders was the reservation cancelled?" Borkar demanded, noting that even senior officials failed to provide satisfactory answers. The issue was reportedly raised in a meeting chaired by Mayor Neeta Thakre, attended by East Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde and standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani. During the meeting, directions were issued to explore legal options to reclaim the land and expand the ghat. Borkar also indicated that legal recourse, including appointing a lawyer, was being considered.#krishna_khopde #neeta_thakre #narendra_borkar #nagpur_smart_city #pardi_ghat

Mayor Orders Audit into River Cleaning Works Amid Corruption Charges Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has come under scrutiny as allegations of financial irregularities in its river and drain desilting projects have prompted Mayor Neeta Thakre to order a comprehensive audit. The move follows claims of large-scale corruption, favoritism in contract allocation, and collusion between contractors and civic officials. Thakre emphasized that strict action would be taken against those found guilty, while also announcing plans to adopt a policy modeled on Mumbai and Pune for the scientific use of silt and waste generated during the annual desilting process. The controversy emerged during a Question Hour session when NCP corporator Abha Pande raised concerns about the project’s management. She alleged that the NMC had engaged in corrupt practices worth crores of rupees, with contractors receiving inflated payments based on questionable measurements of silt. Pande highlighted discrepancies in official data, noting that silt removal declined from 10,175 metric tonnes in 2021 to 7,160 metric tonnes in 2023 before surging to 12,822 metric tonnes in 2025. She described the sharp increase as “suspicious” and demanded an independent audit, along with the formation of a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter. Pande further accused the NMC of billing irregularities, citing evidence that machinery usage was recorded at up to 20 hours a day—an “impractical” figure used to inflate costs. She also pointed to inadequate records of tipper movement and questioned why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) resources were not utilized for the project. Despite the expenditure of Rs 5.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #ncp #gorewada_lake #neeta_thakre #abha_pande

Discipline goes for a toss: Corporators bring kin to NMC House, they make reels The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) general body meeting on Wednesday descended into chaos as repeated warnings failed to restore order. Mayor Neeta Thakre and the ruling party leadership signaled strict action against nearly a dozen corporators accused of disrupting proceedings by bringing relatives into the House and allowing individuals to film social media reels during debates. The meeting, marked by frequent interruptions and violations of procedural norms, exposed a breakdown in discipline despite prior advisories. Key issues included the presence of uninvited family members accompanying corporators, with some individuals recording videos inside the meeting chamber. The mayor ordered relatives of ruling party members to leave the premises, prompting some opposition members to also exit the venue. The situation escalated during a discussion on illegal hoardings, when relatives of corporators began filming reels, prompting Thakre to issue an immediate directive for their removal. The meeting’s disarray extended to debates on critical topics such as illegal markets, garbage vehicle operations, and unauthorized hoardings. Corporators repeatedly spoke out of turn, ignoring formal points of order and interrupting speeches by the mayor, ruling party leaders, and opposition figures. A motion raised by corporator Pintu Jhalke sparked confusion, as the ruling party leader attempted to defer discussion but was overruled by Thakre, who proceeded with the agenda. Discussions veered off track, with unrelated issues like stray cattle being incorporated into debates.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #neeta_thakre #pintu_jhalke #abhijit_jha #bhandewadi_dumping_yard

Strong Response To Water Bill Grievance Camps; 559 Complaints Resolved On Day 1 Nagpur: Grievance redressal camps organized to address complaints about inflated and excessive water bills saw a positive response on the first day, with 559 complaints resolved across five zones. The initiative, launched by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) water works department in partnership with Orange City Water (OCW), followed a surge in consumer complaints over unusually high billing. The Times of India first reported that over 25,000 consumers had received exorbitant bills. The two-day special camps, which began on Monday, faced challenges in communication with many corporators. Zone-wise data showed Ashi Nagar recorded the highest number of complaints at 295, followed by Satranjipura (155), Gandhibagh (77), Laxmi Nagar (29), and Hanuman Nagar (3). The camps were conducted under the directives of Mayor Neeta Thakre, with oversight from standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare, ruling party leader Narendra “Balya” Borkar, and water supply special committee chairperson Divya Dhurde. The exercise was guided by municipal commissioner Dr. Vipin Itankar, with senior officials such as superintendent engineer Shweta Banerjee and executive engineer Shrikant Waikar supervising the implementation. Encouraged by the initial response, the civic body plans to hold similar camps in five additional zones—Dharampeth, Dhantoli, Nehru Nagar, Lakadganj, and Mangalwari—on April 22 and 23, between 10:30 am and 5 pm. Officials urged residents with billing issues to attend the camps for timely resolution. The initiative highlights the urgency of addressing consumer grievances related to water billing, particularly as the NMC and OCW work to resolve disputes and improve transparency.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #shivani_dani_wakhare #neeta_thakre #orange_city_water #narendra_balya_borkar

Kanhan pumping failures expose fragile water supply to Nagpur Nagpur: A routine inspection of the city’s water infrastructure has revealed critical vulnerabilities in the supply chain, particularly the challenges of pumping raw water from the Kanhan River. This vital source, which feeds a significant portion of Nagpur’s daily needs, is increasingly unreliable due to fluctuating river levels, heavy silt deposition, and high pollution levels. Officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Orange City Water acknowledged that lifting water from Kanhan has become a daily struggle, with pumps operating under stress and experiencing frequent breakdowns. These disruptions affect areas such as Satranjipura, Lakadganj, Ashi Nagar, Gandhibagh, and parts of Nehru Nagar, which are the first to face supply issues during any interruption. The Kanhan water treatment plant, which has an installed capacity of 240 million liters per day (MLD), often struggles to meet its output due to pumping constraints and poor raw water quality. A senior official noted that the problem lies not with the plant’s capacity but with sustaining consistent pumping. During the inspection, officials explained the process to elected corporators, including mayor Neeta Thakre, ruling party leader Narendra Borkar, opposition leader Sanjay Mahakalkar, and other civic leaders. The inspection was intended to showcase preparedness but instead highlighted systemic inefficiencies threatening Nagpur’s water security. A major concern is the erratic power supply, which disrupts the entire cycle of raw water lifting, treatment, and distribution. Pumping stations at Kanhan rely heavily on uninterrupted electricity, and even brief outages can halt operations.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #sanjay_mahakalkar #neeta_thakre #orange_city_water #narendra_borkar

Nagpur’s Water Supply Increase Fails to Alleviate Persistent Shortages Nagpur continues to face severe water shortages despite a recent increase in daily water supply from 730 to 765 million litres per day (MLD). While the city’s water infrastructure has expanded with enhanced pumping from the Kanhan river (235 MLD) and the Pench reservoir system (over 530 MLD), residents in multiple areas still experience low water pressure and inadequate supply. Corporators from both ruling and opposition parties have raised concerns during a review meeting, highlighting the gap between reported supply figures and actual delivery to households. The mayor, Neeta Thakre, directed the Orange City Water Pvt Ltd (OCWL) and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s water works department to provide regular, structured updates to corporators on reservoir storage levels and ward-wise supply. This move follows complaints that elected representatives often lack real-time data when addressing citizen grievances. However, the mismatch between supply and distribution remains a critical issue, with multiple prabhags reporting shortages and erratic water availability. Leaders of the opposition, including Sanjay Mahakalkar, questioned why residents continue to face low-pressure supply despite the city’s increased pumping capacity. Shiv Sena (Shinde) corporator Ganesh Charlewar highlighted acute shortages in Prabhag 31, emphasizing that the problem is widespread rather than isolated. Officials attributed the discrepancy to a combination of technical and operational challenges, including frequent power tripping at pumping stations. Even a one-hour power outage can disrupt the filling of overhead tanks, affecting thousands of households.#nagpur #nagpur_municipal_corporation #neeta_thakre #orange_city_water_pvt_ltd #kanhan_river

Opposition to Hold Weekly Janta Darbar Amid Rising Civic Woes Nagpur: Sanjay Mahakalkar, the Leader of Opposition in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), has announced the initiation of weekly “janta darbar” sessions at his NMC office every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The move comes as residents grapple with persistent civic challenges, including prolonged water shortages and inadequate basic services. Mahakalkar accused both the ruling party and the civic administration of failing to address these issues, stating that citizens are left to navigate bureaucratic hurdles without resolution. He emphasized that the weekly gatherings aim to provide a direct channel for residents to voice concerns and demand timely action outside conventional administrative processes. Mahakalkar highlighted the worsening water crisis in several parts of the city, citing administrative inaction as a key problem. He referenced assurances made during the March 20 general body meeting, where Mayor Neeta Thakre had pledged to convene a special session to tackle the water issue. However, Mahakalkar noted that no such meeting had been organized within a month of the promise, which he described as a clear indication of the administration’s lack of urgency. The leader of opposition argued that the janta darbar initiative would bypass bureaucratic delays, ensuring that citizens’ grievances are addressed promptly. The weekly darbar, he explained, is designed to serve as a platform for direct engagement between residents and officials, bypassing the usual layers of bureaucracy. Mahakalkar stressed that the initiative reflects the growing frustration among citizens who feel their voices are ignored by the current administration.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #nmc #sanjay_mahakalkar #neeta_thakre #janta_darbar

NMC Launches Competition for Solar Traffic Signal Sheds in Nagpur Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has launched the "Innovate for Nagpur City!" competition to solicit functional designs for solar-powered rooftop sheds to be installed at major traffic intersections across the city. The initiative aims to shield commuters from intense summer sunlight at traffic signals while generating electricity to support environmental sustainability. The project, proposed by Mayor Neeta Thakre and Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare during a high-level meeting, will be implemented by the NMC's traffic department. The meeting also included Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, ruling party leader Narendra Borkar, Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar, and Additional Commissioner Vasumana Pant. The solar sheds are intended to provide relief to motorists waiting at red lights during peak summer afternoons. Additionally, the project seeks to create space for advertisers on signboards while enhancing the city's visual appeal. The NMC emphasized its commitment to involving citizens in urban development by seeking innovative ideas. Participants, including engineering students, working professionals, designers, and consultants, will compete for cash prizes. The first prize is Rs25,000, the second Rs21,000, and the third Rs17,000. Winners will also have the opportunity to present their concepts to Mayor Thakre during a special "Coffee with Mayor" session. Entries must be submitted between April 6 and April 20, with shortlisted designs displayed on April 24 at the NMC Headquarters. Submissions should be emailed to eetrafficnmc01@gmail.com. The civic body highlighted the dual benefits of the project: reducing reliance on conventional energy sources and improving commuter comfort.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #shivani_dani_wakhare #neeta_thakre #leela_hathibed #narendra_borkar

Devotion Hits Its Crescendo At Poddareshwar Temple Ram Navami Shobhayatra Nagpur: A sea of devotees surged through the city on Thursday as the Poddareshwar Ram Temple's 60th Shobha Yatra rolled out, with packed streets, rising chants, and continuous movement of crowds turning the procession route into a live, unfolding celebration. Devotees lined up along the route — from Itwari through Badkas Chowk, Gandhi Gate, Cotton Market, and Variety Square — hours in advance, with continuous chants and drumbeats accompanying the procession. The scale of participation remained high through the afternoon, with crowds swelling at every major junction. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari joined the celebrations at the temple, where they performed pooja of Lord Ram and attended the aarti. They later symbolically pulled the chariot, marking the formal start of the rath procession. Senior leaders, including revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, mayor Neeta Thakre, were also present. Fadnavis, while speaking to mediapersons at the Poddareshwar Ram Temple, said the ideals of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram continue to guide society. "The Shobha Yatra here in Nagpur has become a unique tradition, growing in scale and participation every year. It is heartening to see such overwhelming devotion and unity among people. This spirit of faith and discipline is what defines our cultural strength," he added. The procession featured around 94 tableaux, making it one of the largest in recent years, which spanned over 3.5 km in length, with 24,000 volunteers helping to smooth out the process. These depicted scenes from the Ramayana and other mythological themes, including Ram Darbar, Lord Hanuman, Mahadev, Maa Bhagwati, and Indra.#nitin_gadkari #devendra_fadnavis #chandrashekhar_bawankule #neeta_thakre #poddareshwar_ram_temple

BJP backtracks on prabhag rejig after opposition uproar The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nagpur has abandoned its plan to restructure prabhags in the city, reversing course after facing strong opposition from civic corporators. The initial proposal, approved during a March 20 general body meeting by mayor Neeta Thakre, aimed to alter the existing prabhag arrangement to strengthen the BJP’s control over zonal offices. However, the move sparked immediate backlash from Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) corporators, who submitted a formal memorandum to mayor Thakre and municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar demanding the decision be revoked. BJP leader Narendra “Balya” Borkar confirmed the rollback, stating the prabhag and zonal structure would remain unchanged. He emphasized that zonal leadership would now be determined based on the current political strength in each zone. According to the present political landscape, the Congress is expected to secure chairmanship in the Mangalwari zone, while the IUML, with support from its alliance partner All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), is likely to claim the Ashi Nagar zone. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) corporator’s backing could further influence the balance in these areas. Opposition leader Sanjay Mahakalkar had previously accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate the prabhag structure to dominate all zones except Ashi Nagar. With the BJP’s retreat, the immediate crisis has eased, but tensions within the civic body remain high ahead of upcoming zonal chairperson elections. Mahakalkar noted that he has not received official communication from the civic administration but confirmed the development as credible.#nagpur #congress #bharatiya_janata_party #vipin_itankar #neeta_thakre

At 60, City’s Iconic Ram Navami Procession To Feature 94 Jhankis Nagpur will host one of its most grandiose Ram Navami processions as the Poddareshwar Ram Mandir celebrates its 60th anniversary with a sprawling Shobha Yatra. The event, spanning 3.5 kilometers, will feature 94 elaborate jhankis, each representing diverse religious and cultural themes, and will be supported by 24,000 volunteers. The procession, set to begin at 4 p.m. following the traditional Rath Pujan, will showcase a blend of symbolism and evolving social narratives, marking the city’s iconic celebration of the festival. The Shobha Yatra will follow its customary route, passing through Old Bhandara Road, Mahal and Gandhi Gate, Cotton Market, Variety Square, and CA Road before returning to the Ram Mandir. Among the key attractions will be tableaux depicting Brij ki Holi, Mahakal Darshan, Radha-Krishna Rasleela, Indonesia’s Bali traditions, and the Jagannath Rath. A special jhanki by the kinnar community will be positioned at the 61st spot in the procession, highlighting inclusivity and cultural diversity. The event will also feature 108 young girls carrying mangal kalash, adding a spiritual dimension to the celebration. To manage the scale of the event, around 24,000 volunteers will be deployed along the route. The procession will be livestreamed on social media starting at 4 a.m., with the Ram Navami celebrations beginning with a Mangal Aarti at 4:30 a.m. and a Shrungar Aarti at 6 a.m. Cultural programs, including shehnai vadan and devotional kirtans, will set the tone for the day-long festivities. Union minister Nitin Gadkari, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other dignitaries are expected to attend the event, underscoring its significance.#nitin_gadkari #devendra_fadnavis #neeta_thakre #ram_navami_procession #poddareshwar_ram_mandir

Prabhag Rejig Gives BJP Control in 9 of 10 NMC Zones, Opposition Objects Nagpur: The ruling BJP’s reshuffle of prabhags in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has sparked controversy, with the opposition alleging the move is designed to consolidate BJP dominance in most zonal offices. Leader of opposition Sanjay Mahakalkar submitted a memorandum to NMC mayor Neeta Thakre and commissioner Vipin Itankar, accusing the ruling party of manipulating zonal allocations to secure an advantage ahead of upcoming zonal chairperson elections. The reshuffle, approved during the March 20 NMC general body meeting, has already drawn political backlash, with Mahakalkar claiming the decision was made without full administrative details being shared with corporators. The rejig involves shifting prabhags across four zones, with prabhag 12 moving from Dharampeth to Mangalwari, prabhag 9 from Mangalwari to Ashi Nagar, and prabhag 6 from Ashi Nagar to Satranjipura. This reallocation is expected to reduce the number of prabhags in Dharampeth while increasing them in Satranjipura, altering the political balance in Mangalwari and Ashi Nagar. Mahakalkar argued that the BJP, already holding a majority in the civic body, does not need to adjust prabhag allocations and that the changes are aimed at weakening the Congress in Mangalwari and strengthening BJP’s position in key zones. Corporator Aslam Khan from prabhag 6 raised objections, specifically targeting the transfer of his ward from Ashi Nagar to Satranjipura. He contended that the area is geographically and demographically better suited to Ashi Nagar, and the move would inconvenience residents by forcing longer travel distances for administrative tasks.#bjp #nagpur_municipal_corporation #vipin_itankar #sanjay_mahakalkar #neeta_thakre