Bordering the emerging suburban area of Besa-Pipla adjoining the city, Prabhag 34 presents an interesting study in urban development. As planners failed to realise the booming realty market, realtors seizing the opportunity developed layout and citizens dream of owning independent houses ensured that development process took of as if there was no tomorrow. In initial period the citizens suffered innumerable issues owing to categorisation as unauthorised layouts, but subsequently the public representatives pushed for tweaking of norms fulfilling the development mandate. The localities in the area of South Nagpur presents a contrast of sort, as most of them though now termed as developed one in relative terms but owing to haphazard development that went unabated during mid nineties, the citizens are forced to suffer from petty problems.

 

Many of the internal roads are so narrow that one can barely park a four wheeler. At many places, one encounters dead end due to improper layout development as land use planning norms got thrown to wind as planners and administrator of that time looked the other way even as violation were galore. The Prabhag comprises area around Manewada Square, Omkar Nagar, Vidya Nagar and Vinkar Colony, lined up adjoining the Inner Ring Road. Although the main road are concretised and many internal roads on Omkar Nagar-Besa stretch, still the tar roads in several localities stand crumbled due to lack of maintenance on part of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Also at many places, construction debris lie uncleared for months together.

 

One particular point that came to notice while traversing through the localities in Prabhag is that though cement roads were visible at most places, the adjoining shoulders were left at it is. So the benefit of concrete roads is not accruing to citizens who have to manevoure through narrow stretches and in case two vehicles came head to head one is sure to get jolted due to gap between road and the shoulder. Another major issue with which the citizens in these localities are grappled for long was drinking water supply at low pressure.

 

Post commissioning first double decker elevated water tank. Similarly many of the areas are so dense that open spaces or play ground are mostly absent leaving citizens to depend of developed West Nagpur to bridge the gap. Hopefully the citizens expect that post election the new set of public representatives would strive to remove the deficiencies in civic services and improve the quality of life. One major issue is that of stray dogs in the border localities which the newly elected councillors would have to tackle on top priority.