Scorching Heat, Soaring Hopes: CM Fadnavis Holds First Janta Darbar After Taking Office

Nagpur: Despite the sweltering heat a day after Nagpur topped India's hottest city chart, over 2,000 citizens from the city and surrounding areas gathered at Hyderabad House in Civil Lines on Sunday for the first Janata Darbar held by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis after taking office. The event, aimed at directly addressing public grievances, saw Fadnavis personally receive 626 representations and forward them to concerned departments for action.
From senior citizens and students to farmers and social organisations, a wide spectrum of the population showed up with pressing issues. One of the first petitioners, Akhil Bharatiya Bhikku Sangh (Paschim Mandal), urged the CM to help revive a land grant that dates back several decades. "This land at Seminary Hills, about 3-4 acres, was granted to us by the govt nearly 50–60 years ago. But due to neglect, no positive development took place. We now seek to build a Buddha Vihara and spiritual centre for our community," a representative said.
Another citizen, Prakash Akre from Ramtek, highlighted the lack of response from authorities regarding the solar farming scheme announced in 2022. "It was said farmers could lease land for solar panels and earn Rs30,000 annually. I want to give my land to MSEB for 30 years, but officials haven't responded to my requests," he said.
Several farmers from Kuhi, including Rahul Bhandarkar and Manoj Alone, raised serious concerns about the installation of high-voltage power lines on their land under the colonial-era 1885 British Act. "These 220kv lines make our land unusable for farming. We've complained repeatedly, but no one listens," they said.
Urban development issues also came up. Krishnadas Ravangsorde from Godhni reported unauthorised dumping of waste on his MHADA property during his absence. "I came back from my daughter's place after recovering from Covid and found garbage and debris dumped all over my land. I've approached the Nagar Panchayat several times. No action," he lamented.
From Central Nagpur, Bhushan Dadve, chairman of the Central Nagpur Vikas Aghadi, expressed frustration over stalled infrastructure projects. "The Old Bhandara Road wasn't touched in 25 years. And after 11 years of struggle, we got Ganesh Tekdi Temple declared a tourism spot. Still, our Rs46 crore development proposal is ignored. We've met officials and the CM multiple times — nothing moves."
CM Fadnavis assured citizens that their concerns would not go unheard. "Every representation will be reviewed and acted upon. This Darbar is not just a platform to voice problems — it's a commitment to resolve them," he said.
Senior officials including divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari, police commissioner Ravinder Singal, collector Vipin Itankar, NIT chairman Sanjay Meena, NMC commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, ZP CEO Vinayak Mahamuni, and heads of key departments like energy, public works, land records, and social welfare were present, taking notes and receiving petitions on the spot. The event marked a high-engagement initiative in the chief minister's home turf, signalling an attempt to reconnect directly with the grass roots.
With inputs by Mugdha Bele, Tanushka Sharna & Sukirti Kapgate