Nagpur Mayor Directs Urgent Completion of Desilting Drive Before Monsoon
Nagpur Mayor Neeta Thakre has issued a stern directive to civic officials, urging them to accelerate the ongoing river and drain desilting campaign across the city. Emphasizing the critical need for timely action, she has mandated that all cleaning works must be fully completed by the strict deadline of April 30, well ahead of the impending monsoon season.
Intensive Inspection and Immediate Actions
During an extensive seven-hour inspection tour spanning multiple zones, Mayor Thakre personally reviewed the progress of desilting operations. She meticulously assessed efforts to remove silt, garbage, and various obstructions from drains, river stretches, and ghats to ensure unimpeded water flow. The mayor stressed the immediate removal of all blockages as a vital measure to prevent severe waterlogging and flooding during the heavy monsoon rains.
Accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar and a comprehensive team of senior officials, the inspection covered numerous areas including Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth, Mangalwari, Ashi Nagar, Lakadganj, Nehru Nagar, Gandhi Bagh, and Hanuman Nagar zones. The delegation featured key figures such as Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare, Ruling Party Leader Narendra Borkar, Health Committee Chairperson Manisha Atkare, Additional Commissioner Vasumana Pant, and Chief Engineer Manoj Talewar.
Specific Directives and Remedial Measures
At Trimurti Nagar, Mayor Thakre ordered the immediate removal of encroachments by a mutton market that were obstructing a crucial drain. She further instructed the Solid Waste Management Department and Assistant Commissioners to intensify public awareness campaigns, discouraging residents from dumping garbage into drains and rivers, which exacerbates blockages.
Expressing significant concern over the proliferation of water hyacinth in river stretches near the Ambazari crematorium and Vivekanand Memorial, she directed officials to initiate prompt remedial measures to clear the invasive plant. Additionally, at Gorewada Lake, she ordered steps to halt sewage inflow near the Chhath Puja site, and tasked the Public Works Department with preparing proposals for constructing safety walls at vulnerable locations.
Addressing Chronic Flooding Issues
The mayor also focused on resolving persistent flooding problems. She directed officials to clear the river confluence near Nara Ghat and address water ingress issues reported from Sangam-Punapur, where residents frequently face flooding during rains. Furthermore, she instructed the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority to collaborate closely with the civic body to widen the river channel up to 50 metres beyond Mahalgaon-Kapsi, enhancing water conveyance capacity.
Ruling Party Leader Narendra Borkar echoed the urgency, calling for preventive measures to ensure citizens do not endure hardships during the monsoon. Mayor Thakre expressed particular concern over recurring issues in Narsala, ordering action against a private developer and mandating immediate repairs to a damaged bridge over a drain.
Commitment to Timely Execution and Public Relief
Reiterating her unwavering focus on timely execution, Mayor Thakre asserted that completing all desilting works before the monsoon would substantially reduce flooding and waterlogging across Nagpur. Civic officials confirmed that the intensified drive is strategically designed to provide much-needed relief to residents during the challenging rainy season, safeguarding public health and infrastructure.
The comprehensive inspection and subsequent directives underscore the administration's proactive approach to urban management, prioritizing pre-monsoon preparedness to mitigate potential disasters and enhance the city's resilience against seasonal challenges.
