Apropos the column Footloose “Thank You My Lords” by Vijay Phanshikar published in The Hitavada Cityline dated August 6, about the mismanagements of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). The NMC has collected property tax to the tune of over Rs 100 crore from April to July voluntary paid by citizens with a hope that the civic body will provide all the amenities to them but on the contrary it failed in its duties then why not the property tax collected be refunded to the citizens?

 

The recent flood in the school at Khamla and water stagnation under Narendra Nagar RuB and Lokhandi bridge shows the irresponsible attitude of NMC. The floods on September 23, 2023 in Ambazari area caused huge loss to the tax paying citizens due to mismanagement of NMC to tame the Naag river flow. The incident is still fresh in the minds of citizens. Citizens are moving from the Ambazari area to other area as they have lost trust in NMC. Entire city is at the mercy of NMC.

 

When one looks around, one finds choked drainage, potholes, bad cement roads, garbage at every nook and corner, and building material dumped on footpaths as well as vendors occupying the pavements encroaching the right of pedestrians. All this mess is due to failure of NMC in ensuring neat and clean city to 35 lakh citizens. The Hitavada has been taking up citizens’ plight not only through its newspaper but by electronic media too. This year due to El Nino, monsoon has been erratic. Though monsoon has paused, rains are not ruled. NMC should be prepared as more areas may face floods in remaining two months of monsoon this year.