Nagpur: A proposal to increase Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) administrative zones from 10 to 12 is set to trigger political and administrative debate at the July 28 general body meeting, with senior BJP corporator Sudhir (Bandu) Raut seeking the civic administration’s response on whether two additional zones would improve governance in the city’s expanding limits.Raut has argued that the city’s growing population and urban sprawl warrant smaller administrative jurisdictions to ensure faster execution of civic works, better grievance redressal and closer monitoring of development projects. NMC currently functions through 10 zonal offices for its 227 sq km jurisdiction.However, senior civic officials are learnt to be sceptical of the proposal, pointing to the significant financial and administrative implications. Creation of two new zones would require fresh infrastructure, office buildings, additional manpower and recurring expenditure. It would also necessitate redistribution of the existing 38 prabhags, besides fresh elections for zonal committees and appointment of new zone chairpersons.Sources recalled that a similar proposal was examined during 2012-13 when Shyam Wardhane was municipal commissioner. The then elected body had favoured increasing the number of zones, but the administration reportedly advised the state govt against the move, maintaining that the existing 10-zone structure was adequate for civic service delivery.Officials also noted that several existing zonal offices themselves face space constraints, with some lacking adequate accommodation for staff and even meeting halls. Creating additional zones, they said, would entail substantial public expenditure at a time when focus should be on strengthening existing infrastructure.The issue also carries political overtones. Following the 2026 civic polls, the newly elected general body approved continuation of the existing 10-zone structure along with division of 38 prabhags. Sources said there were attempts by the governing BJP to reshuffle prabhags among zones to influence the composition of zonal committees and secure control over zone chairperson posts, highlighting the political significance of any proposal to redraw the zonal map.
