After 11 years, NMC recommends over century-old durgah’s regularization

Nagpur: After sitting pretty for 11 years, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has now recommended regularization of over a century-old durgah on the premises of Vasantrao Deshpande Hall in Civil Lines. The process has been started after a request by one of the Supreme Court judges.
Couple of days ago, the civic body sent a letter to the state government recommending the regularization of structure of the durgah reportedly constructed and maintained by Chand Tara Darbar Trust. The city-level committee, headed by municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B, has decided to regularize the entire premises located on the sprawling land in north-east side of the Deshpande hall.
Now, state-level committee headed by chief secretary will take a call on the NMC’s recommendation followed by regularization.
The land is owned by nazul department and under the possession of state’s public works department (PWD).
An official from PWD told TOI, “We have received application from the trust demanding lease of the land. Government has the powers to lease out the land and, therefore, we have forwarded the application to it.”
The Supreme Court had passed an order on September 29, 2009 directing all states to raze illegal structures after framing necessary guidelines and prevent new constructions on footpaths, roads and public properties. The state’s home department had issued circulars on October 4, 2010 and May 5, 2011 framing the guidelines to identify and decide the fate of illegal religious structures.
As per the guidelines, city-level committee was supposed to be formed followed by categorization of illegal religious structures under category-A and B. Structures existing on public, private property and not on roads, footpaths etc were supposed to be listed in category-A and those obstructing traffic, walking etc in category-B.
It was the responsibility of the NMC to identify category-A structures, regularize them and demolish those falling in category-B. The NMC did nothing despite preparing the list in 2012 and updating it in 2014 and 2018.
After the matter was pursued by one of the apex court’s judges, who used to offer prayers at the durgah during his posting in Nagpur, the civic body has reportedly taken cognizance. The judge reportedly visits the durgah whenever in the city. A large number of devotees, especially government officials, visit the durgah regularly.
As per guidelines, state-level committee has to take decision on illegal religious structures built before 1960 and hence the proposal was submitted to the state.
Despite directive of the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court time and again to comply with the orders of the apex court, the NMC is yet to regularize a few more religious structures in category-A and raze some in category-B.