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
