Gadkari calls key meet at NMC HQ today as city battles water woes, firefighting gaps

Nagpur: With the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) functioning virtually in auto-pilot mode since March 2022, when the general body was dissolved, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has convened a crucial review meeting on Saturday at NMC headquarters, Civil Lines, starting at 6.30pm.
The meeting assumes significance as the city grapples with mounting civic issues, including a crumbling water supply system, and serious shortcomings in its firefighting infrastructure. Many areas continue to receive irregular or contaminated water, and several past projects to augment supply remain incomplete. In parallel, the fire department, which is crucial with summer and fire season at its peak, is struggling with just about 170 firemen, out of which 56 have been hired on a contractual basis, exposing a hole in emergency response capacity.
Saturday's meeting will review a wide range of issues, including the progress of the city's market redevelopment plans, the status of the 24x7 water supply project, sewerage network improvements, and environmental clearances for major upcoming projects. Problems surrounding the functioning of newly built markets under the Smart City Mission will also be taken up.
A separate agenda item will discuss the tardy progress of the many ambitious projects, which are mired in delays. Pending proposals related to the Kalyaneshwar Mandir development, garbage transport system upgrade, and the city's preparations for upcoming monsoon challenges, particularly in low-lying flood-prone areas, will also come up for review.
Gadkari is also expected to seek updates on the rehabilitation of slum dwellers affected by Smart City and pending Release Letters by NIT, which has become a growing source of resentment among citizens.
Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, local MPs, MLAs, and senior bureaucrats are expected to attend the meeting to expedite long pending decisions.