Residents of South Nagpur have been waiting for the construction of an internal road for 17 years, but the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) has done nothing. Despite the NIT having approved the layout in 2006, encroachments and illegal buildings have impeded the completion of the road. Encroachments were earlier ordered to be removed by the Bombay High Court, but they have since returned. As this road is essential for their safety and convenience, residents are now requesting that the NIT solve the situation.
For 17 years, residents of three localities in South Nagpur have been enduring the absence of an internal road, causing significant hardship. The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) appears reluctant to address the issue, allowing encroachments to persist. Despite a Bombay High Court order from four years ago to remove encroachments, the problem continues. Encroachments have even been observed to reoccur recently. Two shopkeepers have now occupied part of the road, further complicating matters.
According to concerned citizens, a small section of the road was constructed parallel to the Inner Ring Road (IRR), connecting Bhagwan Nagar Road to Omkar Nagar Square, spanning approximately 50 meters. However, this road was intended to connect to all internal roads of Shukla Nagar and extend to the entrance of Dwarkapuri. Due to the incomplete road, motorists frequently take the wrong side from Omkar Nagar Square to access Shukla Nagar and Dwarkapuri, resulting in accidents.
The residents are urging the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and traffic police to monitor the area around the clock, especially the stretch between Shatabdi Square and Omkar Nagar Square. They emphasize that constructing the road would greatly enhance the convenience and safety of Shukla Nagar and Dwarkapuri residents.
To provide context, the NIT had regularized the layout of Shukla Nagar under the Gunthewari Act in 2006. They had also approved a nine-meter-wide road that would connect all lanes of Shukla Nagar to the first internal lane of Dwarkapuri. Plot owners were required to pay regularization charges.
A few years ago, a couple of individuals illegally constructed permanent structures on the land designated for the road and attempted to lease the land. NIT initiated the leasing process but abandoned it due to citizen complaints. Subsequently, one of the encroachers filed a petition in the High Court. On September 3, 2019, the High Court directed NIT to demolish these unauthorized constructions, which was eventually carried out in November 2019. However, encroachments resurfaced after some time.
Officials from NIT's South division have claimed that they submitted a proposal for the road to their head office. Still, it remains pending due to a lack of funds. Citizens have suggested that a review of the Dwarkapuri layout plan might reveal that the road was approved up to Shatabdi Square. If confirmed, this would bring significant relief to the residents of these three localities along the Inner Ring Road.
The prolonged absence of an internal road in South Nagpur has caused immense inconvenience to residents. Despite a High Court order and multiple attempts to address the encroachments, the issue remains unresolved. The NIT's hesitancy to prioritize the construction of this road has left residents frustrated and facing daily challenges in accessing their homes safely and conveniently.
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