NAGPUR: The ongoing financial challenges faced by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) result less from inadequate revenue sources and more from its inability to address major tax defaulters. According to data from the property tax department, 474 commercial property owners in the city owe over Rs 5 lakh each, resulting in an alarming total outstanding amount of Rs 303 crore.
This unpaid debt consists of Rs 137 crore in arrears, Rs 151 crore in penalties, and Rs 14.90 crore in current demands. These amounts suggest prolonged non-payment and ineffective enforcement measures. Despite ongoing claims regarding recovery initiatives, these high-value defaulters continue to neglect substantial dues that could easily fund several crucial civic projects.
Zone-wise analysis indicates that the majority of the debt is concentrated in prime commercial areas. Laxmi Nagar leads with Rs 78.45 crore in pending payments, followed by Lakadganj with Rs 73.90 crore and Dhantoli with Rs 70.10 crore. Additionally, Hanuman Nagar (Rs 29.22 crore) and Dharampeth (Rs 26.77 crore) are significant contributors. Other areas like Nehru Nagar, Ashi Nagar, and Gandhibagh collectively account for even larger amounts, indicating widespread defaults rather than isolated incidents.
Civic officials acknowledge that the outstanding Rs 303 crore could substantially improve Nagpur’s deteriorating road infrastructure. With this sum, the NMC could repair damaged roads, fill potholes, and construct new cement concrete roads across various zones—issues that consistently top public complaints.
The recovered amount could also help cover the municipal contribution required for state and central government-funded projects, which often face delays due to lack of municipal funding. Rapid execution of projects such as the Nag river pollution abatement initiative, stormwater management upgrades, and sewage infrastructure improvements could become feasible with the recovery of these dues, officials noted.
The Deputy Municipal Commissioner (property tax), Milind Meshram, reported that the civic body has now identified non-residential properties with dues exceeding Rs 5 lakh and plans to tackle them by zone. “We aim to specifically target these high-value defaulters in each zone to recover the owed amounts,” Meshram informed TOI. He also mentioned that all assistant commissioners across the 10 zones have been directed to issue warrants to these tax defaulters. “If payments are not made, the civic body will proceed to attach properties and ultimately auction them,” he added.
Critics, however, argue that mere identification without decisive action has been NMC’s modus operandi for years. “While small homeowners face penalties for minor delays, large commercial entities that owe crores escape unscathed. This isn’t just revenue leakage; it’s an institutional failure,” stated a civic activist.
With elections no longer a shield and public patience waning, all eyes are on the NMC to determine if they will finally move beyond mere notices and statements to enact actual recovery, property attachment, and sealing — or if the Rs 303 crore will remain inaccessible while the city’s infrastructure continues to deteriorate.
