End pig menace in North Ngp in 45 days: Bawankule to NMC

Nagpur: Residents of North Nagpur on Monday took the opportunity of district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s ‘Janta Darbar’ to highlight the menace of stray dogs and pigs in this part of the city. Following a large number of complaints, the minister has asked Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s veterinary department to appoint an agency to catch pigs and dogs.
Residents of Dixit Nagar and Misal Layout alleged that despite complaints to NMC’s Ashi Nagar zone and veterinary department, no efforts have been made to end the menace. The situation is so grim that not only dogs but pigs can be spotted roaming freely, and even entering houses sometimes, they said. As a result, the cases of dog and pig bite too have increased manifold, residents told Bawankule at his Janta Darbar at Ashi Nagar zone office.

Mayor Nanda Jichkar, MLA Dr Milind Mane, deputy mayor Deepraj Pardikar, standing committee chairman Virendra Kukreja, municipal commissioner Abhijeet Bangar, and assistant municipal commissioner of Ashi Nagar zone Ganesh Rathod were present.

Angry at getting complaints, Bawankule expressed anguished over NMC’s veterinary department inaction. To this, veterinary officer Gajendra Mahalle admitted the pig menace has increased manifold and blamed this on illegal pig rearing.

“To curb this menace, NMC has also invited tenders thrice but only one agency from Amravati has shown interest,” said Mahalle, adding the pigs were being reared by anti-social elements.

Bawankule has asked NMC to cage the pigs and free them in the jungle. Not satisfied with Bawankule’s reply, residents continued with their demand, seeking the minister’s intervention to end the menace.

Bawankule then directed NMC to convene a joint meeting with the police department to end the menace, and asked the civic body to resolve the issue within 45 days.

Meanwhile, senior Congress corporator Manoj Sangole alleged that the minister tried to overshadow the BSP and Congress corporators from this zone. He also exposed how NMC officials mislead the minister by giving false information pertaining to complaints related to lack of civic amenities.

Residents also highlighted that no civic amenities are being provided in localities of 572 and 1900 Gunthewari layouts. Bawankule pointed out there is no hurdle in carrying out development works and asked officials of NMC and NIT to resolve the complaints. Residents also drew Bawankule’s attention towards contaminated water, irregular lifting of garbage etc.

They also complained about lethargic attitude of zone health officer DE Rangari. Following this, NMC health officer (sanitation) Dr Sunil Kamble assured to conduct an inquiry against Rangari.