Can’t nudge squatters, NMC goes into a churn Nagpur: More than two weeks after Union minister and city MP Nitin Gadkari set a seven-day deadline to clear encroachments, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has responded with an internal reshuffle instead of visible enforcement, underscoring the widening gap between directives and action on the ground. In an April 10 order, the general administration department relieved assistant commissioner Harish Raut of the additional charge of the encroachment department, handing it to superintendent Sanjay Ganesh Kamble. Already part of the enforcement wing, Kamble will now handle encroachment control alongside existing duties, without additional pay. The timing has raised eyebrows. Gadkari’s March 29 directive demanded swift clearance of footpaths and public spaces. Yet, encroachments remain entrenched across key stretches, from residential pockets to commercial hubs. The reshuffle sidesteps a core issue repeatedly flagged within the civic body: the absence of a full-time officer dedicated to tackling encroachments. NMC insiders admit the dual-charge system has failed. Raut, who was also overseeing the Satranjipura zone, struggled to sustain action. The latest move merely transfers that burden without strengthening manpower or accountability. “Encroachment is not a part-time problem. Without a dedicated officer and team, drives will remain cosmetic,” said a senior official. Residents, however, say the ground reality has not changed. “Footpaths exist only on paper. We are forced to walk on roads every day,” said Anil Sharma, a resident of Dharampeth. “Drives happen for a day or two, then everything comes back,” added a shopkeeper from Sitabuldi Main Road, requesting anonymity.#nitin_gadkari #nagpur_municipal_corporation #sitabuldi_main_road #harish_raut #sanjay_ganesh_kamble
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
