Nagpur: Neeta Thakre speaks in a soft, measured voice — more teacher than a politician — choosing her words carefully, much like she once practised her sur and taal in singing classes years ago. Though she could not complete her Visharad in classical music, the discipline of riyaaz stayed with her. It shows in the way she approaches governance: patient, grounded, and focused on fundamentals.Her election as Nagpur’s 55th mayor crowns a political journey stretching over two decades. First elected as a corporator in 2002, she went on to win the next two elections in 2007 and 2012. A defeat in 2017 briefly interrupted that run, but not her resolve. She returned stronger, winning her next election with a margin of over 9,000 votes, reaffirming her connection with voters.For Thakre, civic leadership begins with basics — water, sanitation, and sustainability. Drawing from her early political years spent responding to water shortages in South Nagpur, she says the city has moved beyond crisis management but now stands at a critical crossroads. While water availability stabilised, long-term water security, sewerage management, and environmental protection will define Nagpur’s future.In an exclusive interview with TOI, the first after her election as mayor, Thakre speaks about lessons from the tanker era, why sewerage could become Nagpur’s next big crisis if ignored, the promise — and limits — of the Nag River project, and how education and women’s healthcare shape her vision for the city.Q. You entered politics when South Nagpur was facing a severe water crisis. How did that phase shape you?A. That period shaped everything I believe in today. When I was first elected in 2002, there was severe water scarcity in South Nagpur. People depended entirely on tankers, and I remember going out late at night on my two-wheeler because there was no water in homes. That crisis taught me what governance really means — responding to basic human needs. Over the years, water supply improved due to better planning and BJP’s political will. But availability alone is not enough. Sustainability is the real challenge now. That is why rainwater harvesting is my core focus. I saw homes in South Nagpur become tanker-free simply by harvesting rainwater. It is mandatory, but compliance is weak. My aim is to turn it into a people’s movement because if we do not recharge groundwater today, tomorrow’s crisis will be far worse.Q. Cleanliness and the Nag River remain major concerns. How do you plan to address them?A. Nagpur’s Swachhata ranking should be much better than where it stands today. The city expanded rapidly, but manpower and systems did not grow proportionately. Cleanliness is not about awards, it is about daily discipline, planning, and citizen participation. As for the Nag River, the rejuvenation project has received central funding, and work is all set to commence. But sewerage is the real challenge. If untreated sewage continues to flow into the river, no rejuvenation effort will succeed. If we ignore sewerage problem now, it will become a major crisis for the city in the coming years. Treatment plants must function at full capacity, and monitoring cannot be lax.Q. Roads, transport infrastructure, and dangling overhead cables are frequent civic complaints. What is your roadmap?A. City roads must be safe, efficient, and visually uncluttered. Dangling overhead cables not only spoil the city’s appearance but also pose serious safety risks. Wherever feasible, we must move towards underground cabling, with proper coordination between civic authorities, utility providers, and telecom companies. Public transport is equally critical. Electric buses are a step forward, but route planning, frequency, and last-mile connectivity need improvement. A strong public transport system reduces congestion, pollution, and pressure on roads.Q. Education and healthcare, especially for women, feature prominently in your agenda. Please elaborateA. Municipal schools must regain public trust. Infrastructure exists, but quality teaching and modern facilities are essential. As someone who holds an MA and BEd, and who worked closely with education committees, I believe civic schools can match private institutions if managed well.In healthcare, my priority is a multispecialty hospital dedicated to women, offering preventive and specialised care under one roof. Women’s health needs focused attention, not fragmented services.Q. Does women-led leadership change the way cities are governed?A. It brings sensitivity, but also responsibility. Leadership is not symbolic, we are here to deliver. Discipline, teamwork, and accountability will define our approach, supported by guidance from experienced seniors.Q. Your political journey has been long and deeply personal. How important was family support?A. It was my biggest strength. I come from a joint family of nearly 20 members, and that support system allowed me to serve people without hesitation. My father was a Congress worker, which exposed me to politics early on.My husband, Rajendra Thakre, was a teacher in an NMC school, president of the teachers’ union, and a director in the NMC employees’ cooperative bank. Though never in active politics, he was always my backbone. I began as a party worker seeking a ticket in 1997 and was elected for the first time in 2002. Without family support, that journey would not have been possible.Q. What can Nagpur expect from your tenure as mayor?A. As a period when the city strengthened its foundations — water security, sewerage management, cleanliness, mobility, education, and healthcare. Development must be visible, but it must also be sustainable. That is my commitment to Nagpur.
