Nashik Mayor Mandates Budget Boost for Merged Villages' Development
Nashik Mayor Himgauri Aher has issued a directive to the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) administration to significantly increase the ward development funds allocated to the 22 merged villages within the civic body's jurisdiction. This instruction was given during the General Body meeting on Wednesday, specifically targeting the municipal budget for the 2026-27 financial year.
Addressing Decades of Neglect in Civic Infrastructure
The mayor's directive comes in response to persistent complaints from corporators about the administration's failure to make financial allocations under the "village development funds" category in recent years. Senior corporator Dinkar Patil, who raised the issue through a formal letter, highlighted the ongoing underdevelopment of these villages despite their inclusion within city limits since 1982.
"Despite being within the city limits for over four decades, these villages continue to remain underdeveloped," Patil stated during the meeting. "They still lack basic civic infrastructure such as proper roads, reliable water supply systems, and adequate drainage networks."
Historical Context and Financial Discrepancies
These 22 villages were originally merged into the Nashik Municipal Corporation when it was established in 1982. Patil noted that while financial provisions were previously made for basic infrastructure development in these areas, the civic administration has not included such allocations in the budget for several consecutive years.
"Earlier, financial provisions were made for basic infrastructure in these villages. But the civic administration has not made such financial provision in the budget for the past few years," Patil explained, emphasizing the expectation that the municipal body should allocate adequate funds to upgrade the essential infrastructure.
Broader Development Concerns and Revenue Utilization
Deputy Mayor Vilas Shinde also contributed to the discussion, raising related concerns about infrastructure development in industrial areas. He pointed out that the NMC generates substantial revenue from industries located in the Ambad and Satpur industrial estates of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), which fall under municipal jurisdiction.
"Despite that revenue generation, there is no adequate financial allocation for improving the road infrastructure in these two industrial estates," Shinde stated, highlighting a broader pattern of underinvestment in critical infrastructure despite available resources.
Mayor's Commitment to Escalating the Matter
Mayor Himgauri Aher confirmed that she and other officials plan to meet with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the near future to seek adequate financial support for the comprehensive development of these merged villages. This high-level intervention aims to secure necessary resources that have been lacking for years.
The discussion during the General Body meeting revealed a growing consensus among municipal representatives about the urgent need to address the infrastructure deficit in both residential and industrial areas under NMC's purview. The mayor's directive represents a significant step toward rectifying historical oversights in budget allocation and ensuring equitable development across all sectors of the municipal corporation.
