Nagpur: At a time when efforts across political and administrative levels are lauded to make Nagpur a smart city and the NMC inviting ideas to achieve the smart tag, a survey has revealed a shocking truth. The city has worsened in terms of open defecation and solid waste management. More shocking is the fact that Nagpur trails far behind Chandrapur, which is considered as one of the most polluted city in the country.
The survey was conducted by the union ministry of urban development as part of the Swachh Bharat campaign. Nagpur, which is hoping to be included in the centre’s Smart City project, is at 256. Chandrapur is ahead of it at 103. Nagpur has slipped 17 spots from the 2010. Mysore turned as the cleanest while Damoh in MP is the dirtiest.
Moreover, Akola was ranked 286, Yavatmal 323, Amravati 338 and Wardha 344. Nagpur’s ranking slipping from 239 is in sharp contrast to the city having the country’s second-greenest city tag.
Gold Rate
Monday 10 Feb. 2025
The slide also points to the fact the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has done nothing to improve the city’s sanitation and cleanliness. Launch of the bin-free city project seven years ago and many campaigns especially ‘My City, Clean City’ notwithstanding, the city didn’t measure up to the parameters.
All Ideas, No Implementation won’t work
On the contrary, the Nagpur Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar has invited ideas from citizens to add Nagpur among the list of smart cities. The cleanliness maintained by private operator Kanak Resources is not hidden to anyone now. On the other hand, the condition of roads is a classic example of how the contractors play fooling game with the citizens. The potholed roads are repaired for the heck of it. One pothole is covered while leaving several other surrounding ones, unattended. The road which deadly need full asphaltation have just become a way of corruption as simply repair works are carried out which is completely useless and wastage of money.
What Correctives Steps will you take, Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Pravin Datke told that the civic administration will identify the reasons for the poor rank and take corrective steps. “The NMC had involved people in all its campaigns. Support of public is must for overall development and maintenance of the city,” he said. Leader of opposition group in NMC Vikas Thakre squarely blamed the BJP-led NMC for its failure in implementing projects. “The UPA government had sanctioned projects worth over Rs 1,500 crore. The DF government too had approved various projects. Unfortunately, the NMC does not seem interested in day-to-day maintenance. The mayor and office-bearers have no control over the administration,” he said.
