NMC’s Dhantoli Zone, despite orders from the highest authorities, failed to take action against illegal encroachment and construction on a residential plot in Chinchbhavan area of Nagpur
Nagpur: The shabby functioning of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), especially its Dhantoli Zone, has come to light, again. The NMC, it is found, has snubbed even the President of India, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). The Dhantoli Zone of the civic body, despite instructions from the highest authorities, has yet not initiated action against illegal encroachment and construction on a residential plot in Chinchbhavan area of Nagpur.
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According to media reports, the President of India had even directly ordered the Zone to submit an action taken report. On September17, this year, the State’s Lokayukt too took cognisance of the complaint and asked the zone office to submit a compliance report.
The reports said, a resident of Chinchbuvan and senior citizen, Vishnu Khanwale had alleged that despite reported complaints, the Dhantoli Zone did not act against “construction of an illegal building next to his house, owned by one Satyabhama Bobade.” Bobade had allegedly encroached on Khawale’s place and extended the constriction on a portion of road under Dhantoli Zone. Khawale has been trying to free the encroached land and get the illegal construction demolished since 2014.
The reports further said that following Khawale’s complaint and pursuance of the matter, the Dhantoli Zone had served a notice to Bobade and inspected the spot. The Zone Office had found illegal construction in the ground+2 building. Bobade had done almost 325.06 sqm of illegal construction on almost every floor, as per the inspection report. Bobade’s application for stay of proceedings was also rejected by the NMC’s Town Planning Department and State Government’s Urban Development Department.
Disgusted over NMC inaction, Khawale met the then Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe who ordered action. However, due to Covid-induced lockdown, only some part of the constriction was demolished and encroachment on the land owned by Khawale remained. Officials also ignored the action after the babus were changed. According to Khawale, the Dhantoli Zone officials were giving vague answers. Later, Khawale met the current Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B. However, instead of taking action against illegal construction, the Dhantoli Zone on June 28 tried to demolish Khawale’s house.
Left bewildered, Khawale then lodged a complaint with the President of India, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on July 8, this year. The Zone’s Assistant Commissioner had given a written reply about action to be taken till September 30. However no action has been taken so far.
In the meantime, the Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B assured that action will be initiated against the wrongdoers and the illegal construction will be demolished.
