Nagpur civic body, police join forces to clear 100 km of encroachments daily

Encroachment in Nagpur city has been worsening by the day, disrupting traffic and putting citizens' safety at risk. In view of this, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and the police administration have decided to jointly adopt a tougher approach.

Until now, those encroaching on footpaths, roadsides, illegal markets and public spaces were merely removed, but repeat offenders will now face legal action. Cases will be registered against such persons under cognizable offences and laws related to damaging public property.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting of the municipal corporation and police held on Sunday at the district planning building. The meeting was chaired by Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil, with Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar also present. The biggest decision at the meeting was that anti-encroachment action will be carried out daily across 10 km of area in each of the corporation's 10 zones, setting a target of clearing about 100 km of area across the city every day.

Police Commissioner Nangare Patil made clear at the meeting that the safety of women, children and elderly citizens must be the top priority. He said footpaths should be cleared of encroachments and made completely safe and open for pedestrians, so that no one faces any difficulty. Emphasis was also placed on drawing up a concrete plan for parking arrangements and major squares. Directions were also given to create designated spots for e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, and to take legal action against those running businesses dangerously by keeping cylinders on the roads.

The joint drive will target illegal markets, footpath encroachments, unauthorised vendors and encroaching shopkeepers, as well as those running businesses by modifying vehicles. The district administration said such encroachment not only disrupts traffic but also puts citizens' safety at stake.

Immediate and strict action has also been directed against illegal paan stalls and encroachments within a 100-metre radius of schools and colleges, given the need to ensure student safety and discipline around educational institutions.

The administration also clarified that the action will follow due process. Unauthorised vendors will first be issued notices, informed of the planned action through meetings, and coordination will be maintained with the police station concerned in that area.

Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar spoke at the meeting about the corporation's Mission 100 Day, aimed at clearing the city's footpaths of encroachments to provide safe passage for pedestrians, bring discipline to the city and improve citizens' quality of life. He said the drive would now be taken forward in partnership with Nagpur Police, initially targeting encroachments at the city's main squares, large illegal markets, footpaths and major roads.

The meeting was attended by Joint Commissioner of Police Naveenchandra Reddy, Additional Commissioner of Police Rajendra Dabhade, Additional Commissioner of Police Vasant Pardeshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ankit, Additional Commissioner Milind Meshram, Deputy Commissioner Mangesh Khawale, along with all assistant commissioners of the municipal corporation and officials of the police department.