NAGPUR: The irresponsible dumping of construction materials such as sand, gravel, and cement has become a significant issue in the city, with footpaths and roads frequently turning into temporary storage spaces for builders and contractors.
In many areas, pedestrians are forced to walk on busy roads, while vehicles struggle to navigate narrowed paths. According to data from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), the Nuisance Detection Squad (NDS) takes action against an average of 564 violators—both individuals and builders—each month.
A penalty of ₹1,000 is imposed on individuals, while builders face a higher fine of ₹5,000 for the same offense. NMC collects an average of ₹12.42 lakh in penalties per month. Since December 2017, the total fines collected across 10 NMC zones amount to approximately ₹11.42 crores.
Laxmi Nagar leads in both the number of violations and fines collected, reporting 7,076 cases and ₹1.61 crore in penalties. Other notable areas include Hanuman Nagar (6,026 cases, ₹1.33 crore), Ashi Nagar (6,731 cases, ₹1.34 crore), Nehru Nagar (6,159 cases, ₹1.30 crore), and Satranjipura (6,534 cases, ₹1.31 crores).
Despite regular enforcement, the issue persists throughout the city. Spot checks in various locations revealed that construction debris continues to occupy large portions of public space. Residents in areas such as SBI Colony, Gokulpeth, and Vivekanand Nagar reported footpaths obstructed by piles of sand and gravel. Even in well-maintained regions like Bajaj Nagar Square, construction materials were observed encroaching upon the roads, exacerbating congestion concerns.
NDS officials, speaking anonymously, mentioned that political interference often complicates their enforcement efforts. This pressure can lead to delays and weakened actions against encroachers, continuing to inconvenience many residents daily.
