Nagpur: The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) informed the Bombay High Court‘s Nagpur bench on Wednesday that it removed 77 encroachments along the Omkar Nagar Square-Shatabdi Square stretch. The affidavit was filed in response to a public interest litigation which alleged years of inaction by civic authorities despite persistent complaints from residents about illegal structures choking the area.
NIT’s affidavit attributed the delay in action to manpower crunch caused by Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly election duties. “The delay was due to non-availability of staff, as they were engaged in election-related work under the code of conduct,” NIT executive engineer Pankaj Ambhorkar stated.
The PIL, filed by petitioner Mangala Wakode, accused NIT and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) of failing to address rampant encroachments that led to severe traffic congestion and environmental hazards. According to the petition, authorities issued demolition notices as early as 2018, but no substantial action was taken, allowing illegal structures to flourish and causing inconvenience to commuters and local residents.
The affidavit claimed that the eviction process was stalled for years due to legal challenges. Owners of Plot Nos. 23 and 24 contested the demolition orders before state authorities, effectively pausing removal efforts. It was only after the appeals were dismissed on September 12, 2024, that NIT was able to proceed with eviction proceedings.
Confusion over land ownership further complicated the matter. Initially, officials believed the entire area was acquired for the Ring Road project, but a reassessment found that portions of Plot Nos. 23 and 24 remained privately owned. These plots were also regularised under the Gunthewari Scheme in 2015 as non-buildable plots, making enforcement more complex.
With legal hurdles finally cleared, NIT initiated removal proceedings in late 2024. According to its affidavit, the agency demolished 77 illegal structures and submitted a compliance report detailing its actions. Officials assured the court that further steps are being taken to prevent future encroachments.
Despite these developments, the petitioner maintains that authorities deliberately ignored the issue for years, allowing illegal structures to flourish unchecked. The HC previously expressed displeasure over the prolonged inaction, warning officials of possible legal consequences if they failed to act.
With NIT’s affidavit now on record, the court is expected to review its response during the next hearing on March 21, 2025. Depending on its assessment, the court may issue additional directions to ensure swift action against any remaining encroachments.
