The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its election blueprint for the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) polls on Sunday, aiming for a fourth straight term in office. The manifesto places the long-awaited promise of round-the-clock water supply at its core while adopting a cautious stance on widespread freebies, contrasting sharply with the opposition Congress's promises.
Infrastructure Over Indiscriminate Freebies
Seeking to project an image of continuity and fiscal responsibility, the BJP stated it had delivered on nearly 90% of the commitments made in its 2017 manifesto. While the Congress has pledged 30,000 litres of free water per month and free bus travel for all, the BJP has limited its direct giveaways to free bus travel for senior citizens above 70 years. The party did match the Congress's proposal to exempt homes up to 500 square feet from property tax, noting this was subject to state government approval and that a resolution was already passed in January 2022.
City BJP president Dayashankar Tiwari acknowledged that the flagship 24x7 water supply project is still a work in progress. "While round-the-clock water supply has reached several pockets, infrastructural and logistical constraints prevented full implementation," Tiwari said. "Completing it citywide will be a priority in the next term." He highlighted the expansion of Nagpur's water infrastructure, with elevated storage reservoirs growing from just eight in 1997 to 103 today, strengthening the city's capacity for future growth.
Key Promises: From Water to Waste Management
The manifesto outlines a comprehensive vision for the city's development. Key infrastructure and civic promises include:
- Expanding the 24x7 water supply network and making rainwater harvesting mandatory for all buildings.
- Achieving 100% wastewater treatment and a zero-landfill target through scientific waste processing and biomining at Bhandewadi.
- Rejuvenating and beautifying major lakes like Ambazari, Futala, Sonegaon, Gandhisagar, and Sakkardara Naik, linking them with tourism.
- Transforming Nagpur into a lease-free city by abolishing NIT ground rent.
- Building new flyovers, widening roads, deploying smart traffic systems, expanding Metro Phase III, and adding more e-buses.
Focus on Employment, Safety, and Civic Reforms
The document also dedicates significant attention to livelihoods, safety, and governance. Employment-generation measures promise skill centres in all six assembly constituencies, dedicated Tejaswini markets for women entrepreneurs, and completing the Jijau Women Empowerment Centre within a year. A novel proposal is the establishment of a mini foreign consulate in Nagpur to facilitate services.
On safety, the BJP pledges to add 10 new police stations and 10 new police zones, alongside making roads free from stray animals. Civic reforms include a push for digital-first services, regular 'Janata Darbars' for public grievance redressal, and providing property rights to slum dwellers.
The manifesto release event was attended by prominent leaders including Revenue and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLA Pravin Datke, MLC Parinay Fuke, former MLC Anil Sole, and former mayor Nanda Jichkar. The BJP's pitch clearly revolves around completing major projects, maintaining infrastructure momentum, and exercising fiscal discipline as it faces the electorate.
