Nagpur voters head to the polls after nearly three years without elected local government. The physical condition of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's power centers now reflects this prolonged democratic gap. A recent visit to the NMC headquarters uncovered shocking neglect.
Abandoned Chambers Tell a Story of Disuse
The chambers for the mayor, deputy mayor, standing committee chairman, ruling party leader, and opposition leader all lie abandoned. These offices occupy the NMC's old heritage building, once the active nerve center of civic governance. Today, they more closely resemble dumping grounds than places of public service.
Mayor's Chamber Cluttered and Infested
The mayor's chamber and its antechamber were found in a terrible state. Broken furniture, discarded files, and damaged chairs created a cluttered mess. Thick layers of dust covered every surface. Wooden cupboards and tables showed clear signs of pest infestation. Spider webs hung from the ceilings and door frames, indicating years without any use or care.
Other Offices Face Similar Neglect
The deputy mayor's chamber presented no better picture. Its antechamber was stuffed with unused furniture and old materials, looking more like a storage yard. A stale smell filled the air, and moisture damage was visible on the wooden fixtures.
The chamber of the standing committee chairman, one of the most powerful posts in the civic body, was locked and dark. Dust coated the desks and cupboards, seemingly untouched for years. Offices for the ruling party leader and the leader of the opposition were equally neglected, with sealed doors and visibly deteriorated interiors.
Civic staff members admitted a simple truth. These chambers have not received routine cleaning, fumigation, or any maintenance since March 2022.
The Root of the Decay: A Three-Year Pause
This decay traces back to March 2022. At that time, the NMC general body was dissolved. Delays in holding municipal elections, primarily due to unresolved OBC reservation issues, caused the dissolution. Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B was then appointed as the administrator, assuming charge on March 5, 2022.
What many expected to be a short-term arrangement stretched into nearly three years of rule by an administrator. The city functioned without any elected representatives during this entire period.
Upkeep Halted Completely
After the general body dissolved, the civic administration made a decisive move. It relieved all Class IV employees who were assigned to these important chambers. The administration then locked the offices and antechambers.
With no staff officially responsible for upkeep, all cleaning stopped entirely. This lack of basic care accelerated the deterioration of these historic spaces. Ironically, while these heritage chambers decayed, the city's administrative machinery continued to function. It operated from a modern seven-storey building located just behind the old heritage structure.
A Daunting Task for the New Administration
The administration now faces a significant challenge. It must make these offices usable again for the incoming elected body. Civic officials openly concede that extensive work will be required. This includes deep cleaning, professional pest control, and various repairs before the chambers can be occupied by new leaders.
Dayashankar Tiwari served as the 54th mayor of Nagpur. Manisha Dhawad was the last deputy mayor. Prakash Bhoyar held the position of standing committee chairman. These individuals were the final occupants of these now-decaying offices.
Nearly three years later, their successors face an unusual first task. They may have to reclaim these spaces from dust and decay before they can even begin the work of civic governance. The state of these offices serves as a powerful, physical reminder of Nagpur's long pause in local democracy.
