Civic Bodies Struggle to Eradicate 2,000 Illegal Constructions in Nagpur
illegal constructions Nagpur: Nagpur continues to grapple with the challenge of over 2,000 illegal constructions in Nagpur, despite persistent directives from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. The Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) disclosed this unsettling revelation in an affidavit presented to the High Court on Thursday.
According to the affidavit filed by NMRDA Joint Commissioner Avinash Katade, who also serves as the Chairman of the Joint Supervisory Committee, various civic bodies, including NMT, NIT, and NMRDA, possess a comprehensive list of 4,668 illegal constructions in Nagpur that require immediate demolition. Surprisingly, only 1,403 of these structures were dismantled between December 7, 2023, and January 22, leaving a staggering 2,681 structures still standing.
Persistent Challenges Despite Demolition Efforts
The action taken report, submitted in response to the court’s inquiry from a PIL initiated by Ajay Tiwari, indicated that 588 structures had been transferred to other authorities such as Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation and various municipal councils, some of which are recently constituted.
Despite the concerted efforts of the supervisory committee, which includes Secretary Sunil Lahane and members Vijaya Bankar, Ashwini Patil, and Shriram Mundhada, the authorities involved were urged to push the demolition drive to its maximum extent. They directed the concerned authorities to address any legal impediments in subsequent meetings or face consequences.
Warning of Consequences and Police Support
Expressing dissatisfaction could lead to severe consequences, as the committee warned that failure in executing a satisfactory demolition drive might compel them to request disciplinary actions against officers who willfully defy High Court orders.
In their defense, all relevant authorities claimed that between December 7, 2023, and January 22, the police department provided ample and timely security for scheduled demolitions. DCP (Special Branch Additional Charge) Patil assured the committee of continued police support for pending demolition operations.
Despite these assurances, the pressing issue remains – a significant number of unauthorized structures still stand, posing a challenge to the city’s urban planning and development goals. The authorities now face the uphill task of not only removing the remaining structures but also ensuring that legal processes are followed meticulously to prevent future encroachments.
In the ongoing saga of illegal constructions, Nagpur’s civic bodies find themselves at a crossroads, balancing the demands of rapid urbanization with the imperative of upholding the rule of law.
