Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has come under scrutiny for its failure to address the issue of unauthorized structures in Nagpur, with a staggering 85% of such constructions remaining untouched, despite repeated directives from the judiciary.
In its recent affidavit presented to the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, the NMC, represented by counsel Sudhir Puranik, admitted to the inadequate progress made in demolishing these illegal structures. Out of the more than 9,000 unauthorized constructions that have been identified, a mere 1,368 have been razed or removed, indicating that only 15% of these structures have faced action.
Gold Rate
Monday 31March 2025
Last year, in April, the NMC submitted an affidavit through Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Enforcement) Ashok Patil, informing the High Court that 1,544 illicit constructions had been identified. Notices were issued to these structures under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act, mandating their removal.
Furthermore, the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) Chairman’s affidavit revealed that across its four divisions, a total of 4,675 unauthorized structures were identified, out of which 602 were successfully removed. Additionally, under the NIT’s jurisdiction, 3,019 unauthorized structures were identified, and notices were issued for their removal.
Recent developments shed light on a meeting convened on July 11, during which Municipal Commissioner, Collector, NIT Chairman, and NMRDA Commissioner deliberated on this issue. Sudhir Puranik substantiated this information by presenting a pursis along with the minutes of the said meeting.
“In the said meeting it is informed that steps for removing the encroachments identified would be taken. In view of the rainy season, action on residential properties could not be taken. It has been stated that steps for removing encroachments would be continued in accordance with law,” a division bench comprising Justice Atul Chandurkar and Justice Vrushali Joshi said, before adjourning the hearings of both suo motu PIL till August 23.
The directives came while hearing a PIL originally filed by Ajay Tiwari, which was converted into suo motu PILs after he withdrew the petitions on receiving notices from the civic authorities of staying in the illegal structure. Apurv De was appointed as amicus curiae to plead the case.
Tiwari had filed the case contending that the respondents, including NMC, NIT and NMRDA, granted approval for construction of houses but failed to act against them for carrying out illegal constructions and non-sanctioned alterations like misusing basement space reserved for parking for another purpose.
The respondents took an indemnity bond from house or flats occupants that they would demolish the illegal structures. However, no one complied with it and neither the respondents took any action against such unauthorized structures till date, the petitioner had pointed out.
On HC’s directives, a Joint Supervisory Committee (JSC) was constituted on April 1, 2022. It comprises officials from the NMC, NIT and NMRDA. Its purpose is to curb the menace of increasing unauthorised constructions in the city. Headed by the NMC Additional Municipal Commissioner, it also has NIT General Manager, NMRDA Additional Commissioner and Deputy Collector (Nazul) as its members.
