Nagpur: A “missing road”, overflowing sewer lines and rampant encroachments have turned a Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) staff colony at Mankapur-Zingabai Takli into a civic nightmare, exposing glaring neglect in the upkeep of its own residential premises.The issue was flagged by ex-Congress corporator Arun Daware Patil, but a visit by TOI revealed the situation was far worse on the ground. Internal roads in parts of the colony have virtually disappeared, reduced to uneven, muddy stretches, making movement difficult for residents — many of them civic employees. Adding to the woes is the open drainage and choked sewer lines creating a health hazard for the employees staying there.TOI found that open land around the colony, particularly near the old Gorewada feeder plot, has been converted into a sprawling scrap yard. Mounds of discarded material lie unattended, while the area has also emerged as a hotspot for drinking, with empty liquor bottles scattered across the premises. Residents, who are all NMC employees, requesting anonymity, said anti-social elements frequent the spot regularly, especially after dark, with little to no monitoring by authorities.A striking example of neglect is a nearly 188-year-old banyan tree, which was transplanted from Pachpaoli to the premises — a heritage asset of the civic body — now surrounded by scrap and used as a hangout for drunkards. The lack of basic protection or maintenance around the tree has raised concerns among residents.The neglect extends to a nearby water body as well, where TOI spotted liquor bottles floating on the surface, indicating unchecked activity despite the area being under the supervision of the water supply department. Locals alleged that illegal activities continue openly, with no visible security presence.Inside the staff quarters, the situation worsens during monsoon, with several homes reporting seepage and roof leakages. Residents said repeated complaints failed to yield results, forcing them to live in deteriorating conditions. Sanitation too remains a major concern. Garbage lifting is irregular, and both the civic body and its private agency appear to have abdicated responsibility, residents alleged.The ground reality points to a larger systemic failure — where even civic staff are left to fend for themselves amid crumbling infrastructure, raising serious questions about NMC’s ability to manage its own assets.Municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar was not available for comments.
