Nagpur District Planning Committee Approves Rs730.27 Crore Annual Plan for 2026-27
The Nagpur District Planning Committee, in a significant meeting held on Friday, gave its formal approval to the draft District Annual Plan for the fiscal year 2026-27. The comprehensive plan carries a substantial outlay of Rs730.27 crore, reflecting the administration's commitment to structured and impactful development across the region.
Minister Bawankule Emphasizes Quality and Accountability in Development
Chairing the crucial session at Niyojan Bhavan, Guardian Minister and State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule articulated the Maharashtra government's unwavering resolve to pursue people-centric development. He underscored that this development would not compromise on quality, transparency, or accountability. "There will be no compromise on the quality of works, and funds must be utilised within stipulated timelines," Bawankule firmly directed the officials present.
He stressed the importance of blending administrative dynamism with long-term strategic planning to ensure sustainable progress. Department heads were instructed to adopt a dual approach, focusing on both immediate execution and future-oriented planning to maximize the benefits of public funds.
Breakdown of the Approved Plan and Additional Funding Demands
The approved draft plan is meticulously structured across key social and developmental sectors:
- General Scheme: Rs479.68 crore allocated for broad-based development initiatives.
- Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan: Rs195 crore dedicated to the welfare and advancement of Scheduled Caste communities.
- Tribal Sub-Plan: Rs55.59 crore earmarked for tribal development programs.
Parallel to this, implementing agencies presented additional funding requirements totaling a significant Rs1,559.69 crore. This includes Rs1,370.45 crore under the general scheme, Rs56.71 crore for the SC Sub-Plan, and Rs132.52 crore for tribal components. Minister Bawankule assured that the state government would actively advocate for maximizing Nagpur's allocation in the upcoming state-level planning meetings to address these needs.
Addressing Human-Wildlife Conflict with a Proactive Grassland Plan
A key highlight of the meeting was the decisive action on the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region. Minister Bawankule announced the formation of a special committee tasked with preparing a comprehensive three-year grassland development plan. This initiative aims to prevent tigers and leopards from straying into human settlements by restoring natural habitats.
"Loss of grasslands pushes herbivores into farmlands, which in turn draws predators closer to villages. Grassland development is a preventive measure," Bawankule explained, emphasizing the ecological rationale. He guaranteed that there would be no shortage of funds for this critical environmental and safety project.
The committee will comprise elected representatives, district officials, and wildlife experts. The plan will be implemented through coordinated efforts between district and state funding mechanisms, with the forest department playing a pivotal role in execution.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Urban Development Directives
In a move to boost regional administrative training, the minister announced the upgrade of the IAS training centre at Zero Mile. The facility will be enhanced to match the standards of those in Delhi and Mumbai, with funding secured through the district plan to specifically support aspirants from the Vidarbha region.
Further directives focused on optimizing urban assets and public welfare:
- Housing: Immediate allotment of all vacant houses constructed by the Nagpur Improvement Trust on a no-profit-no-loss basis, prioritizing families displaced by development projects.
- Commercial Development: Civic bodies to conduct joint studies for developing commercial complexes on available public land to generate revenue and utility.
- Education Infrastructure: Preparation of a comprehensive plan for upgrading municipal schools and anganwadis to improve educational facilities.
- Urban Safety: Proposals for installing CCTV surveillance systems across all municipal councils and nagar panchayats to strengthen public safety and security.
Review of Past Expenditure and Meeting Proceedings
The committee also conducted a thorough review of the expenditure under the 2025-26 annual plan up to December 2025, ensuring fiscal discipline and accountability. The minutes and compliance report from the previous meeting held on August 18 were formally approved, maintaining continuity in administrative processes.
The high-level meeting witnessed participation from Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal, MPs and MLAs representing the district, senior bureaucrats, and heads of various civic bodies, showcasing a collective approach to Nagpur's development trajectory.
