With the crucial Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections just five days away, the civic administration has undergone a significant facelift. Key administrative offices and spaces have been extensively renovated at a cost of approximately Rs 6 crore, preparing the ground for the new elected body set to take charge after the January 15 polls.
Major Civic Hubs Get a Makeover
The renovation drive has focused on several pivotal locations linked to the city's governance. The mayor's office situated within the NMC headquarters at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan has been refurbished. Similarly, the mayor's official residence, known as 'Ramayan', has received upgrades. The NMC House, which serves as the venue for all general body meetings, has also been revamped to host the new corporators.
Final touches are currently being applied, and officials expect all work to be completed within the next couple of days. The scope of renovation extends beyond just the top offices.
Comprehensive Upgrade for Incoming Representatives
The modernization effort is comprehensive, aiming to provide contemporary and functional infrastructure for the incoming leadership. According to an NMC official, the project also covers the offices of the deputy mayor, the leader of the opposition, the leader of the house, and group leaders representing various political parties within the corporation.
The Rs 6 crore expenditure has funded several improvements across these spaces, including:
- Enhanced interior designs and aesthetics.
- Improved and more comfortable seating arrangements.
- Upgraded facilities to support official meetings and interactions.
Political Context and Past Results
This large-scale preparatory work comes ahead of the formation of a new civic body. The political stakes are high, reflecting the outcome of the 2017 civic polls. In the last election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a majority by winning 66 seats. The Shiv Sena followed with 35 seats. Both the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 6 seats each. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) secured 5 seats, while independent candidates and the Republican Party of India (Athawale) won three and one seat, respectively.
The renovated offices will soon be occupied by the winners of the upcoming January 15 election, who will be tasked with addressing Nashik's urban challenges with the aid of these newly upgraded facilities.
