Nagpur: Clearing a major hurdle for the proposed Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC)-style business district in Nagpur, the Maharashtra govt on Tuesday dismissed a decade-old appeal against demolition of unauthorised structures across the sprawling Kachipura tract in Ramdaspeth.In an order passed on June 23, additional chief secretary (urban development-I) Asim Kumar Gupta vacated an interim stay granted in 2016 by the then minister of state for urban development and upheld the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) decision rejecting regularisation of the constructions. The govt held that the civic body’s action was legally valid.The ruling is expected to pave the way for action against hundreds of unauthorised structures in Kachipura, including hotels, garages, restaurants, service centres, marriage lawns, and portions of the slum settlement that remained protected during the pendency of the appeal.The appeal was filed by Satish Saxena, Prashant Pawar, Mangesh Surawar, and others under Section 47 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. They had challenged a demolition notice issued by Dharampeth zone officials on August 12, 2015, as well as the rejection of their application for building permission under Section 44 of the Act on October 3, 2015.During hearings conducted via video conferencing on June 22 and 23, the appellants argued that they had occupied the land for decades, regularly paid municipal taxes and depended on businesses operating there for their livelihood.However, scrutiny of revenue records revealed that City Survey Nos. 616 and 618 are govt-owned and leased to Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The urban development department further noted that the land is reserved for public purposes in the sanctioned development plan.The reservations include W-24 for a South Central Zone Cultural Centre over 17.39 hectares, W-22 for State Transport facilities across 1.76 hectares and W-78 for parking facilities covering 0.75 hectare.Site inspections revealed extensive commercial activity on the reserved land. With direct access from the 24-metre-wide Central Bazar Road, the tract is regarded as one of the city’s most strategically located land parcels.Senior civic officials said the order removes a significant legal obstacle to redevelopment plans aimed at transforming Kachipura into a high-end commercial hub on the lines of Mumbai’s BKC, featuring office towers, retail centres, hospitality projects and organised commercial spaces.With the litigation finally settled, civic authorities are expected to initiate action against encroachments and unauthorised structures while preparing a redevelopment and monetisation blueprint for the land.TIMELINEAug 12, 2015: NMC issues demolition notices under Section 53 of MRTP Act.Oct 3, 2015: NMC rejects application seeking regularisation of structures.Jan 12, 2016: Occupants file appeal before state govt under Section 47.2016: Then urban development minister grants interim stay and seeks report.June 22-23, 2026: Fresh hearings conducted through video conferencing.June 23, 2026: State govt dismisses appeal, vacates stay and upholds NMC action.AT A GLANCE• Land owner: Maharashtra Government• Leaseholder: Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola• Existing use: Shops, garages, restaurants, lawns, slum pockets• Proposed vision: BKC-style commercial and shopping hub• Likely impact: Demolition of hundreds of unauthorised structures and clearance of encroachments for redevelopment.
