Nagpur civic body, police to clear 100 km of encroachment daily

Faced with rising encroachment in Nagpur city and the traffic and public safety problems it is causing, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and police administration have decided to take a joint hardline approach. At a joint NMC-police meeting held on Sunday, it was decided that repeat encroachers on footpaths, unauthorised markets and public spaces will face not just removal of encroachments but legal action as well.

The meeting was chaired by the police commissioner and held in the presence of NMC commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar. Several key decisions were taken on controlling encroachment and preventing crime. It was decided that cases will be registered against repeat offenders under laws relating to cognisable offences and damage to public property. The biggest decision was that anti-encroachment action will be carried out daily in each of the NMC's 10 zones. A target has been set to clear about 100 kilometres of encroached area in the city every day.

At the meeting, Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil directed that priority be given to the safety of women, children and elderly citizens. He said footpaths should be cleared of encroachment and kept completely safe and open for pedestrians. Emphasis was also placed on setting up proper parking arrangements and plans at junctions on the city's main roads. Directions were also given to create designated spaces for e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, and to take legal action against those who indulge in dangerous practices such as keeping cylinders on the road.

NMC commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar briefed the meeting on the civic body's "Mission 100 Day" programme. He said the campaign would be carried forward jointly with the police administration, and in its initial stage would target encroachment at major junctions, large unauthorised markets, footpaths and main roads.

The meeting was attended by police co-commissioner Navinchandra Reddy, additional police commissioners Rajendra Dabhade and Vasant Pardeshi, NMC additional commissioners Ankit and Milind Meshram, deputy commissioner Mangesh Khawale, along with all NMC assistant commissioners and all deputy commissioners of the police department.

The meeting also directed immediate and strict action against illegal paan shops and encroachment within a 100-metre radius of schools and colleges. This area will be given special priority to ensure student safety and maintain discipline around educational zones.

The administration also clarified that anti-encroachment action will be carried out strictly as per rules. Directions were given to issue notices to unauthorised vendors before action as per procedure, hold meetings with them to inform them of the action, and coordinate with the concerned local police station.