Nagpur: After a prolonged delay, green nets intended to provide relief at traffic intersections were finally approved by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s standing committee on Tuesday.Chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare acknowledged the delay, stating that to prevent further lag, the civic body will bypass fresh tenders and assign the work to last year’s L1 bidders at existing rates without revision.The Rs 65 lakh proposal had received the municipal commissioner’s approval on March 30, but took nearly 20 days to reach the committee. The traffic dept has been directed to install green nets at 18–20 key junctions by April 30, with scope for expansion.While the initiative aims to shield motorists from harsh sunlight at signals, the delay highlights the civic body’s reactive approach to predictable heatwave conditions.The committee also cleared several infrastructure proposals. A road project in Dharampeth (Ward 13), estimated at Rs 56.47 lakh, was approved after a bid came nearly 35% below the estimate. In Laxmi Nagar, a Rs 1.36 crore sewer line project on Hampyard Road received administrative sanction.Fire department proposals dominated the agenda. The panel approved a six-month extension for 53 contractual firefighters, subject to ongoing high court proceedings on regularisation. It also sanctioned over Rs 35 lakh for uniforms for 189 personnel and cleared the procurement of a foam-tender fire vehicle worth Rs 1.22 crore.Other approvals included a CC road in Dharampeth (Ward 12) and a Rs 25.57 lakh water pipeline project in Lakadganj. The panel also noted a rise in election-related printing expenditure due to increased demand for voter lists.PANEL FLAGS IRREGULARITIES, ORDERS PROBEThe committee rejected a proposal to extend the tenure of retired project management consultant Pramod Gawande, who was appointed for land acquisition work.The town planning department had sought a six-month extension, citing ongoing projects. However, objections raised by Congress corporator Wasim Khan over alleged irregularities led the panel to deny the request.Instead, the committee directed the general administration department to conduct a detailed inquiry. Wakhare emphasised that accountability in land acquisition processes is non-negotiable, given the stakes involving public funds and urban planning decisions.
