Notwithstanding the claims of good urban governance, the city continues to struggle with basic civic problems. Absence of public representatives is just one part of the issue, a lot of gaps still remain in the system which aims at catering to people’s good but mostly falters in delivery. Call it a legacy issue or plain lack of action, civic problems come out as a sore thumb while visiting various Prabhags. ‘The Hitavada’ reporters and photographers take a closer look at these glaring gaps as we bring for readers the profile and pulse of all Prabhags in Nagpur.— Editor 

 

 

Prabhag No 1, from where the official geographical limits of Nagpur city begins, has once again come into sharp political focus as the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections are set to return on January 15, 2026, after a long gap of nearly nine years. Situated in North Nagpur, the Prabhag holds both symbolic and political importance. Over the years, it has witnessed changing power equations, repeated promises of development and continued civic neglect in many pockets. The delay in civic elections has increased public expectations, as residents hope that fresh representatives will finally address long-pending basic and civic issues. In recent months, the area has also seen heightened political activity due to major public events and ongoing protests related to land use and development projects. All these factors have turned the Prabhag into one of the most closely watched wards in the upcoming civic polls. 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 2017 NMC elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded a clean sweep in the Prabhag by winning all four corporator seats. At that time, the BJP also enjoyed strong political control in the Prabhag, as North Nagpur was represented in the Maharashtra Assembly by BJP MLA Dr Milind Mane. This gave the party an advantage at both the civic and legislative levels. However, the political situation has changed since then. The current MLA from North Nagpur is senior Congress leader Dr Nitin Raut, who has a strong base in the area. His presence has altered the balance and given the Congress renewed confidence to challenge the BJP in what was earlier considered a stronghold of the ruling party. With other parties also preparing to contest seriously, the Prabhag is expected to witness a multi-cornered fight. 

 

 

 

 

The Prabhag has a population of 69,790 which makes it a densely populated urban ward. According to available data, the Prabhag includes 21,823 Scheduled Caste residents and 1,520 Scheduled Tribe residents. The ward has a large number of Sindhi population, especially in areas like Jaripatka, which has historically played an important role in local politics. Apart from this, the Prabhag is home to OBC communities, Muslims, Christians, and an increasing number of North Indians, particularly in the fringe and newly-developed areas. This social diversity makes electoral calculations complex, as no single community dominates the voter base. Recent political debates have further influenced voters. The ongoing agitation against the proposed Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Park on a 130-acre site at Nara has been continuing for over a year and has divided public opinion. In contrast, the State Government’s grand celebration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, held recently in the same area, attracted large crowds and senior leaders, boosting political visibility in the Prabhag. 

 

 

 

 

Despite repeated political attention, the Prabhag continues to struggle with basic civic problems. Residents complain that development has been uneven and largely limited to selected areas like parts of Jaripatka. Many internal roads in peripheral localities remain in poor condition, with potholes and incomplete cement or asphalt work. Drainage is another major concern. Old and narrow drainage lines often choke which lead to sewage water entering homes during the monsoon. In several unauthorised layouts, proper drainage and water supply systems are still missing. Sanitation issues are also serious, with open plots turning into garbage dumping grounds and public gardens lying neglected. Public transport remains inadequate. Residents say there is no reliable and affordable transport to major work hubs such as Hingna and Wadi. Even the Inner Ring Road, which was expected to improve connectivity, does not have an effective public transport system. Environmental issues like ash pollution from the Koradi Thermal Power Station adds to the health concerns of residents.