Nagpur: A vacant plot earmarked for the Orange City Street project at the entrance of Sahakar Nagar has turned into a stagnant waterlogged patch surrounded by heaps of garbage, raising concerns among residents over sanitation and mosquito breeding.A TOI visit to the spot revealed algae growing in the stagnant water, while plastic waste, household garbage and construction debris were dumped on the plot. The condition has also highlighted concerns over drainage at the site. Residents said even light rain leads to water accumulating on the vacant land.“Every time it rains, even slightly, the place turns into a swamp. The green layer and the smell from the garbage have become difficult to ignore,” said Ramesh Joshi, a resident of Sahakar Nagar.Parts of the boundary wall have crumbled, making it easier for people to dump waste inside the vacant plot. Broken portions of the boundary and a rusted chain-link fence have left parts of the site open, they claimed.Residents said the garbage and overgrown vegetation have also affected pedestrian movement along the adjoining road. They have urged the civic administration to clear the waste, drain the accumulated water and ensure that the site does not become a dumping yard.“Tall claims have been made about the Orange Street project, but the plot currently remains neglected. The authorities need to ensure that basic sanitation is maintained until the land is developed,” said Priya Deshmukh, another resident.The stagnant water has also raised concerns over mosquito breeding, particularly during the monsoon. Residents have sought immediate preventive measures to avoid the plot becoming a public health concern.NMC sources told TOI that a team had already been sent to the site to spray disinfectant and carry out fogging as a preventive measure against mosquito breeding. Civic teams will also be deployed to drain the stagnant water and clean the area, including the garbage accumulated around the plot, officials said.
