Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday directed officials of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) to immediately clear encroachments and restore footpaths for pedestrian use, calling the situation “alarming”. He sought a detailed action-taken report within eight days.The directions were issued during a review meeting at his residence to assess key development projects. Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Rajya Sabha MP Maya Ivnate, MLA Krishna Khopde, mayor Neeta Thakre, deputy mayor Leela Hathibed, standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare, leader of the house Balya Borkar, municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, and others attended.Gadkari noted that encroachments have spread across major roads and footpaths, severely restricting pedestrian movement. He instructed officials to conduct a comprehensive survey of encroached land, detailing ownership, current possession, and reservation status.To improve transparency, he suggested involving engineering students in an independent survey to verify civic data. The exercise, he said, should also identify land reserved for playgrounds and gardens so that it can be developed accordingly.The meeting also reviewed water supply, housing, pollution control, and urban infrastructure. Gadkari discussed plans for 200 parks and playgrounds, a slum-free housing model, and ongoing sewerage projects aimed at reducing pollution in the Nag and Pohra rivers.Progress under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, road widening works, land acquisition for a 30-metre-wide road in Mouza Chinchbhuvan, and development in backward areas were assessed. Gadkari directed the formation of a dedicated municipal committee to identify and prioritise such projects.Officials presented details of open land owned by NMC and NIT. Gadkari asked them to prepare a plan to use these spaces for organised vegetable and meat markets. He stressed integrated planning of NMC, NIT, and Nazul lands, noting that unregulated roadside markets cause congestion and inconvenience. He proposed developing food malls and designated hawker zones.He also said layouts already transferred to the municipal corporation, or in the process of transfer, should not require fresh NIT clearances, to streamline approvals.Reviewing the ₹2,400 crore Nag river pollution abatement project, Gadkari emphasised the need for a robust detailed project report and strict adherence to technical and financial standards.Raising concerns over water supply, he questioned Orange City Water (OCW) over delays in implementing the 24×7 supply project despite sufficient water from Pench and Kanhan sources. He flagged nearly 40% leakage in the system and demanded immediate corrective measures.75 parks, 75 playgrounds for NMC’s Amrit MahotsavTo mark 75 years of the NMC, Gadkari proposed developing 75 gardens and 75 playgrounds across the city. He said the initiative would promote sports among children and create accessible recreational spaces for senior citizens. He directed officials to identify locations based on local needs and preferences.
