Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) recently launched a crackdown on lawns and marriage halls in Civil Lines following recent high court directions. Years ago, a panel constituted by court had exposed what it termed as “brazen profiteering” from govt-allotted lands across Nagpur.The findings emerged from a PIL (No. 45/2017) before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court, where the court took suo motu cognisance of large-scale misuse of nazul and public land parcels originally allotted to clubs, associations and charitable institutions for sports, education, cultural and social activities.A committee comprising an amicus curiae and financial experts had examined nearly 113 properties and uncovered a systematic pattern of organisations converting govt allotted lands into commercial revenue hubs by renting spaces for weddings, exhibitions, private events, coaching classes, subleasing and commercial advertising.Among the most serious cases flagged was the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), which was allotted nearly 3.43 acres for sports and cultural promotion. The YMCA allegedly subleased portions of land to Lata Mangeshkar Hospital and private operator ‘Swagat Lawns’. Between 2012 and 2017 alone, the institution reportedly earned over Rs2.23 crore from commercial activities.Jawahar Vidyarthi Gruha, allotted land for a student hostel, reportedly earned more than Rs4.5 crore from wedding receptions and exhibitions between 2011 and 2017. The committee noted that the institution failed to even provide details of students residing at the hostel.The report also singled out Maharajbagh Club, which reportedly generated over Rs3.30 crore through marriage lawns, hall bookings and commercial hoardings, while Gondwana Club reportedly earned a staggering Rs12.74 crore from commercial activities carried out on govt allotted land.The Ladies Club was accused of operating wedding lawns and collecting parking charges despite holding land meant for limited club activities. The committee observed that the institution could not justify retaining such a large public land parcel for merely 153 members.Similarly, Officers Club was accused of using open land near its premises for marriages and receptions, resulting in severe congestion, noise pollution and public inconvenience around the Civil Lines area, including the stretch popularly known as “Walkers Street”.Vidarbha Hindi Sahitya Sangh and Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh were accused of subleasing spaces to shops, offices, tuition classes and commercial establishments in violation of lease conditions. Bhagini Mandal was found running commercial coaching classes for competitive examinations while claiming to be a charitable status.The explosive findings are now gaining renewed relevance after the high court recently directed authorities to verify permissions and land-use compliance of lawns and marriage halls operating across Nagpur, particularly in Civil Lines. Following the order, NMC’s town planning department has already issued notices to several establishments seeking land records, permissions and lease-related documents.
