Taking note of parking mess on the city streets even as the skyline is touching new heights, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari pitched for enhanced earmarking of space to accommodate vehicles. With city streets struggling to cope up with increasing number of vehicles, the ongoing redevelopment with State backing were discussed during the review meeting held on Sunday at Hyderabad House. Beyond the Winter Session of State Legislature, the Hyderabad House, the office of Chief Minister in city, hardly sees any activity. Yet, off late, Chief Minister holds Janata Darbar, meeting with citizens.

 

So after a long gap, the administrative top brass in city had a busy Sunday. Fadnavis and Gadkari asked officials to take note of parking needs while redeveloping Netaji Market, Santra Market among others and also the proposed meat and vegetable markets in the city. The meeting had Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mayor Neeta Thakre, MLAs Krishna Khopde and Mohan Mate in attendance. All the top bureaucrats from city, plus Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department (UDD), Aseem Gupta, also were on hand to brief the two leaders about the ongoing projects. Gadkari was of the view that officials should use technology to estimate the future needs and plan accordingly. Although city road are broad enough, the usage of 1/3r of width for parking of vehicles, is quite an eye sore as planning for parking is a big mismatch against the rising need for space which is now premium in urban centres. Chief Minister said UDCPR rules are quite clear and if necessary, the required changes should be carried out. Sufficient parking is must and all public buildings must be planned accordingly, he stressed. Water Supply: The contentious issue of drinking water supply also figured in the meeting.

 

Officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) briefed about the steps taken to complete the 24x7 project in the city. The two leaders instructed officials to curb issue of leakages as same is big wastage. They were also asked to study the drinking water supply project of other cites and plan accordingly. Similarly, problem existing on solid waste management too was reviewed. The progress of SusBDe and M/s Bhumi waste processing plant was also discussed at length. Zone Wise Market: Chief Minister and Union Minister called upon NMC officials to plan for zone wise establishment of market, vegetable and meat, so that citizens do not face inconvenience. The plan should be to have in place a food hub, a hawker zone, food mall for every one lakh population, and as city has ample open space, same must be tapped properly. Chief Minister directed utilisation of Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations to for planned development to fulfill needs of citizens.

 

Encroachment: Chief Minister also directed civic officials to forthwith remove the encroachments, especially the kiosks around schools and colleges. Also the small shops on the footpaths that affects pedestrians too need to be removed immediately. The NMC officials along with city police should launch a joint drive to clear the squatters. The meeting also took review of plan to redevelop Yeshwant Stadium and other big ticket projects. Divisional Commissioner Vijaylaxmi Bidari, Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector Kumar Ashirwad, MSIDC Managing Director Dr Brijesh Dixit and others officials were present.