Nagpur: The selfie point developed and inaugurated by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) near Ram Nagar Square two years ago now lies in a shambles. Ex-MLC Prakash Gajbhiye is spending another Rs25 lakh for setting up a plaque on the preamble of the Indian Constitution at the spot.
As part of Swachh Survekshan, the Dharampeth zone had undertaken beautification of the spot which was then one of the garbage vulnerable points. The then principal secretary Manisha Mahiskar had praised the NMC. The then assistant municipal commissioner Mahesh Moroney, who is now deputy municipal commissioner and in-charge of NMC’s enforcement department, besides holding post of deputy CEO of Smart City, too had appreciated the initiative.
Despite being close to a busy square, the selfie point is ill-maintained, and hence remains unnoticed. No one seems to be aware of its purpose now. It has turned into a den for illegal activities, said roadside shop owners and residents of Hill Top.
Civic activist Amit Heda said the place was developed when Swachh Survekshan was underway. “The way it was developed and beautified with plantations, fencing, statues and placards with messages related to cleanliness, one can imagine the kind of public money was spent,” he said.
“Now, seeing its current state it’s obvious that all this was just a show off in the backdrop of Swachh Survekshan and the rewards and awards associated with it,” he said.
Over time, the spot has been ignored and now lies in ruins. “It’s a classic case of how public money is squandered as per whims and fancies of authorities,” said Heda.
An official from Dharampeth zone blamed the locals for the mess. Gajbhiye said locals should also take efforts to conserve public property. Fountains installed at the same place in the past too were damaged by the residents.
In 2013, when Gajbhiye was corporator of the locality, he had developed Literacy Theme Park on the slope of Ambazari Tekdi road. Rs80 lakh fund from MOIL had been spent for erecting 12 murals. But today it too is lying in a shambles.