Footloose

Of the immense goodwill they earn !

They wear bright-coloured, sleeveless vests and stand at road intersections holding up placards with appeals to common people to follow traffic rules. They keep smiling as they approach people on their two-wheelers and four-wheelers urging them to abide by rules on the roads. Most people respect those volunteers, all right. However, there also are many who just don’t care -- and push on with their brazenness. For such haughty people, rules make no sense. So, naturally, those who urge them to follow ..

Of the challenge to clean the city

SIGNALS are available in Nature that the rains are on their way out. Now, with Diwali festivities round the corner, it is time for Nagpur -- its administration and the people -- to deck the city up for the healthy season ahead. Soon, the dampness and humidity in the atmosphere will go away and the air would be crispy and cool -- before it turns very cold in the next couple of months...

Of the urban mess by design

NAGPUR presents a classic example of how a city has been messed up by ‘design’ -- almost literally, so to say ! The latest example of this comes from the Ashok Circle at which the fly-over (constructed by the National Highway Authority of India -- NHAI) runs tangentially through the gallery of a private house -- which also is an illegal construction. The images of the fly-over tearing through the outer edge or gallery of the private house are really shocking. The story is told of how the house-owner ..

Of one more civic announcement !

AT long last, the civic authority in the city has found time and inclination to think of an integrated way of handling all infrastructure tasks alongside roads. They are now talking of a plan that would fuse all utilities in single ducts along or across the roads -- so that repeated digging of roads is avoided. If the loosefooter remembers right, such a talk was doing the rounds of the civic circles a few years ago as well. At that time also, the newspapers had written big headlines on the proposed ..

Cesspool of civic mismanagement

HEAVY rains of just a couple of hours also convert the Purani Sabzi Mandi in the Old City area into a vast pool -- almost in the shape of a lake. Thus, during the rainy season, the Purani Sabzi Mandi area witnesses such flooding every now and then -- in the process leaving the users of the place in an impossible-to-sort-out situation. The area stinks with stale and slushy water and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This happens every year during the rainy season. Yet, the civic authorities ..

Of the social shame of street go-getters !

THEY think that they are very smart and intelligent and great go-getters. They also think that everybody else on the road is a bloody fool and timid. So, looking at all others with disdain, these smart go-getters just zoom past traffic signals triumphantly -- as if they have just conquered an enemy post ! On the ground of reality, all these go-getters look actually stupid, idiotic and brazen law-breakers. They don’t look smart. They don’t look intelligent. They only look plain hooligans who have no ..

Of systematic destruction of Futala Lake

 By Vijay Phanshikar : THE ruling of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the water in Nagpur’s Futala Lake is not good enough even for human bathing, should make every Nagpurian not just very upset but also very, very angry. That is als..

Of the need of an anti-drug social drive

 By Vijay Phanshikar:  THAT the Bhopal cops arrested two foreign nationals for drug trafficking, does make a good news. It is clear that the Bhopal Police have done an excellent job during their anti-drug fortnight -- for which they deser..

Of course, no city is built in a day ...

By Vijay Phanshikar : ROME, as we traditionally say, was not built in a day. In other words, every great city takes time to come up, to evolve with time, to accommodate new ideas. Nagpur can be no exception. Yet, looking at the sluggish pace..

Of official road-blocks between west and east Nagpurs

These road-blocks have been there for the past endless months. Each time people travel from this part of the city to that part, they run into these road-blocks of development -- as ‘The Hitavada’ showed in its CityLine edition of July 22, 2025. For record, the administration appears to be engaged in developmental projects. For fact, in the name of development, what people encounter are road-blocks that appear to have no immediate resolution. If this is the definition of ‘development’, then the city ..

Of drug addiction and social responsibility

 OF course, the Madhya Pradesh Police deserve much appreciation for launching a statewide anti-drug campaign that Director General of Police Kailash Makwana inaugurated two days ago. Such a drive will make a positive difference to the larger society..

Vignettes of development Second capital. ... ! Smart city. ... !

These are the vignettes of development -- of Smart City Nagpur --- of Maharashtra Second Capital Nagpur -- of city of great leaders ! It is in this city that lakes are being destroyed. It is in this city that rivers are being toyed with. It is in this city that promises are made but are rarely followed. To be sure, the city offers countless such sights -- day in and day out. To be sure, the people are patient and willing to wait for good days to come. But to be sure, good days are only in speeches ..

The questions we must ask Why are we so committed to killing our environs ?

  By Vijay Phanshikar : TIME has come for all of us to ask ourselves a very serious question about our own commitment to protecting the city’s environment and its lakes and its rivers and its forest patches and its parks and its gar..

The questions we must ask Who is responsible for the Futala Lake mess ?

THAT the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given show-cause notices to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for the decline in the condition of the Futala (Telangkhedi) Lake, is a welcome development in the sense this step will set in motion the process of fixing of the responsibility of the Futala Lake mess. Yet, the moot question is: Will the responsibility be really fixed and ..

The questions we must ask Who will pay those Rs. 34 crores? ... and more !!

SO, FINALLY, steps will be taken soon to correct the wrong design of the Sadar fly-over. And this vow has come from none other than Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the honourable Union Minister for Surface Transport -- who happens to be the Member of Parliament (MP) from Nagpur. By any standard, this is good news for Nagpur. For, when a wrong urban design is sought to be corrected, the city will benefit from the correction. For ‘The Hitavada’, this news (published in ‘CityLine’ of June 13, 2025) brings a sad vindicatio..

Of cattle on the road and commuters in trouble

Of cattle on the road and commuters in trouble..

Of an issue too complex to be taken lightly

Of an issue too complex to be taken lightly..

Of open drains ... and closed minds

WANDER around town and you would get to see literally countless numbers of open drains carrying filth of the city -- and spreading infection and posing public health hazards. In countless places, these open drains stink and make life hell for people living in those areas. Yet, no matter the political tall talk and administrative lip-service, the open drains continue to haunt the city of Bhopal, the modern, metropolitan capital of Madhya Pradesh. So the question: How can the city tolerate such a failure ..

Of the issue of leadership-II

THE failed grand picture of a developed Nagpur -- painted by political leadership years ago -- is a direct result of leadership-failure, a retired bureaucrat said during a chat last week (in the wake of the last week’s episode of ‘Footloose In Nagpur -- May 8, 2025). The city of Nagpur must be bogged down by countless dozens of issues of failed urban designs -- of fly-overs, of road-architecture, or road-intersections, or pavements or sidewalks lining the roads, of the approaches and exits at the ..

Of the issue of leadership

THE grand picture of a developed Nagpur -- painted by political leadership years ago -- appears to be too far fetched a dream. That grand picture may never be fully complete in the near future (which may mean the next 15-20 years). The general impression is, the city of Nagpur is forever under construction of this or that project. And then there are many areas that are in an eternal turmoil as the developmental work goes on endlessly. As a result, Nagpurians are harassed all the time. For, for the ..

Of how a picture speaks a thousand words

THE steady stream of photographs of some or the other mess in public places, sent in by the esteemed readers of ‘The Hitavada’ for the column ‘Through The People’s Eyes’ shows how the city of Nagpur suffers from issues of urban mismanagement in a big way. Each of those pictures speaks of very simple but vastly mismanaged points in public places where there is some or the other point of chaos or indifference by the civic machinery. Most pictures from the esteemed readers bring to fore very pinpointedly ..

Of how not to handle urban waste

THE massive fire at Bhandewadi garbage dump-yard was actually waiting to happen for long. In the past, too, the mountains of urban garbage had caught fire on some occasions. But this time, the fire is truly massive and may prove a major challenge for the administration to handle wisely. True, the administration has pressed into operation its fire dousing mechanisms, all right. Yet, the current fire at the Bhandewadi dump-yard appears to be of proportions never seen before, never handled before. The ..

Of the blind leadership of the city

IT MAY be very difficult even for an ardent supporter of Nagpur’s political and civic leadership to appreciate the ubad-khabad manner in which the administration has designed the two intersections on the Central Bazar Road in West Nagpur -- one at Ramdaspeth near Deekshabhoomi and the other at the Bajaj Nagar square. The administration is not using the usual interlocking blocks in these two places, but has chosen to use what may be described as gravel stones (the material they used in urban spaces ..

Of the difference between yesterday and today

THE young newspaper Reporter would move on his bicycle all over the city no matter the sun or the moon or the rain or the season, his camera slung across his shoulder. He took pictures, wrote down notes in his small pad, ate idli-vada for a mere one rupee at any place, and drink water from any public tap without the fear of infection. Thankfully, in those days, political, social and administrative leaders of Nagpur boasted that 98% of the city’s water supply was “protected”. Those were the wonderful ..

Of the people’s complaints in hushed voices

THERE may not be any social group in Nagpur -- formal or informal -- whose members do not complain about the way the city is being “developed” by powers that be. Those complaints are generally in hushed voices, as if no one wants anybody else to hear what the complaints are about. The complaints, however, are about cement roads being thrust upon the city when they are not a dire necessity. The complaints are also about the mushrooming of fly-overs all over the city when their need is often suspect. ..

Of the city’s monumental apathy to history

THERE is no doubt that the city of Nagpur has a great history of its own -- replete with a great story that runs through centuries, through decades, years -- crafted and scripted by people of eminence and substance in diverse fields. The city has had great political leaders, social reformers and thinkers, educational torch-bearers, scientists, scholars of indology, leading lights of armed forces. The city boasts two of the world’s greatest moments and movements -- the foundation of the Rashtriya Swayamseva..

Of a massive deception -- popular and official ! - III

THE discussions and actions in Delhi cause a heart-ache in Nagpur -- about the project of cleansing the Yamuna river that runs for 52 kilometers in the capital State. The Delhi administration has pressed into service many modern dredging machines to clean up the garbage dumped into the Yamuna river, and the people in general are cross-checking the credibility of the Delhi Government’s promise of completing the work in three years. Most experts and common people tend to believe that the task of cleansing ..

Of irresponsible stunts on roads

THAT the people in the city of lakes are happy with the general improvement in the quality of roads in the past some time, must be noted. But when that sense of happiness spills out in the form of rash driving of motor cars and two-wheelers and also in the form of dangerous stunts that jeopardise lives of the drivers or riders or others on the road, then it is time to apply a stern brake on such activities. That is what Bhopal cops have done in the past couple of days -- by taking strict action against ..

Of a massive deception -- popular and official ! - II

THEY -- a ‘Hitavada’ Reporter and Photographer -- travelled for over 35 kilometers along the Naag River from its eastern end near Bharatwada right up to the Ambazari Lake taking a close look at the overall condition of the city’s signature waterbody. Near Bharatwada, the Naag River meets the Pili River, forming a truly picturesque confluence. But as The Hitavada team travelled along the stream towards the west, it realised the horrible condition into which the city of Nagpur -- that is its people ..

Of a massive deception -- popular and official !

NAGPURIANS have evolved their own garbage-disposal system over the years. This system is working wonderfully well. Those who use this system are happy. Those who don’t also are happy because that system does not interfere with their lives. So successful is this system of garbage-disposal that even the civic authorities are happy to allow it to persist...

Of right concern at right time !

EVEN as Bhopal gets ready to host the Global Investors’ Summit (GIS), the common people are becoming vocal about the failure of the administration to get the city cleaned up not just for the event but also for all the time. For, as the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal deserves to be kept clean and tidy all the time, and to be projected as a global metropolis. As he moves around in the city, the loosefooter realises the potential Bhopal has as a city of true global standards -- provided the State ..

All in the name of ‘love’ !!

ON VALENTINE’s Day,that is February 14, the city of Nagpur will wear a different look -- with hordes of young people gathering in public places including restaurants etc and celebrate ‘love’ -- as usual, every year. Tomorrow, that is February 14, all the love people express through various means and modes will spill out on to the streets. True, there will still be people who would not want join that bandwagon of demonstration of so-called love, and would be called morons, to say the least. Of course, ..

Gearing up for a better tomorrow

THE lake city of Bhopal is gearing up to host the ensuing Global Investors’ Summit. That the summit is in line with the thinking of the Government of Madhya Pradesh to invite investment to the State, is obvious. But in recent times, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, too, has been leading the State’s action from the front, offering a mature vision of the Government’s intent to give Madhya Pradesh a better tomorrow. Moving around Bhopal’s industrial areas -- within the city-limits or outside it -- the ..

Of Nagpur’s confused urban planning

FORTUNATELY, the city of Nagpur still has some localities where commerce has not started dominating the residential landscape. Certain coolness, certain calmness, certain homeliness prevails in the roads and lanes and by-lanes in those areas. There, people move around with a sense of assurance that permeates in a residential neighbourhood where every family is known to every other family...

Of encroachments of footpaths -- shameless, and helpless !

 By Vijay Phanshikar : THE growth-pangs of the city of Nagpur are visible everywhere -- new buildings, new roads, new bridges, new malls, new markets and on footpaths. The people find countless kilometers of footpaths having been encroached upo..

Of faith in the thicket of technology

THE 1.5 kilometer stretch of road from the South Ambazari Road at the northern end to the Ring Road at its southern end offers a great mix of cultures -- old and new. A leisurely walk along that stretch at any time during the day or evening reveals something very interesting -- presenting a paradox that is both, entertaining and confusing. But to the sorted out minds, the road offers something to think about in depth -- and benefit from ! Three-fourths of the long road passes through what is known ..

Of the filthy, stinky tale of Bhandewadi

A visit to a celebrated educational institution brought alive sights of ugly mountains of city’s garbage dump yard at Bhandewadi on the eastern outskirts. ‘Mountains’ is the only expression that needs to be used to describe the sight. On several acres, all we see are only mountains of garbage collected from the city’s roads and lanes and by-lanes get added up to the already existing ‘treasure of filth’ on a daily basis. True, some of the accumulated garbage does get disposed of at some intervals. ..

Of Bhopal’s fortitude

EVEN as the authorities are engaged as per strict protocol in the work to remove chemical waste from the Union Carbide factory and even as different concerns come up about the disposal, the minds of common Bhopalites dart back to those harrowing hours so many years ago when the city lost hundreds of people in one single night and kept losing many more as days passed due to inhalation of the leaked poisonous gas. Even the lapse of time of four dace has not erased the harrowing memories of one of ..

Of liberty and liberties -- on New Year eve !

 By Vijay Phanshikar THERE is absolutely no need to be judgmental about how people should celebrate New Year -- parties, songs, and also what passes as dance ... ! May everybody have the right to celebrate New Year in any manner. May there..

Of blackened lips and reddened eyes... ! - II

The expression “blackened lips and reddened eyes” referring to addicted young persons -- men and women -- in the last edition of ‘Footloose in Bhopal’ became a subject of discussion in many groups through-out the week. Many responded to the subject positively, and joined the loosefooter to express a serious concern about the decline of the standard of young conduct (in whatever percentage). This evidence of the social concern of large numbers of people about young people falling prey to addiction ..

Of the baffling 5-star political culture !

 By vijay Phanshikar :  COME winter and the city of Nagpur is assailed by a five-star political culture. For, stepping in winter’s footsteps arrives the Maharashtra Government for the winter session of its legislature -- Ministers, Me..

Of blackened lips and reddened eyes ... ! - II

The expression “blackened lips and reddened eyes” referring to addicted young persons -- men and women -- in the last edition of ‘Footloose in Nagpur’ became a subject of discussion in many groups through-out the week. Many responded to the subject positively, and joined the loosefooter to express a serious concern about the decline of the standard of young conduct (in whatever percentage). This evidence of the social concern of large numbers of people about young people falling prey to addiction ..

Of blackened lips and reddened eyes ... !

BY ANY standard, every young person in the group was handsome or beautiful -- and also well-dressed. But the group of 7-8 young people -- boys and girls -- had a terribly serious problem. All of them were smoking almost continuously for over an hour standing outside a restaurant. Standing a few feet away from the group (with the sole purpose watching the young group), the loosefooter felt really, really sorry for the young people with blackened lips and reddened eyes -- obviously from the toxic smoke ..

Of two groups... !

AS USUAL, the cafe in a posh area was crowded around 4 in the afternoon. Individuals, groups, couples sat at tables, engaged in following their respective culinary pursuits -- and also in discussions, some in quiet whispers and some in loud assertions. There was laughter in the air and a general sense of merriment prevailed in the large room with several tables. Waiters and bearers moved around effortlessly serving the customers, many of whom appeared to be regulars in the place. Two groups -- sitting ..

Of the lack of cultural sophistication

THE municipal authorities in Nagpur were seen engaged in a drive to book people who spit in public places or urinated anywhere at will or threw domestic waste and other garbage in open spaces. In one single day, as the reports have us believe, the authorities booked as many as 96 cases and collected a fine of Rs. 46,000/- All this sounds good, so to say ! Yet, given the size of the Second Capital of Maharashtra, the achievement should be termed as very small. For, anyone can see literally hundreds ..

Of the Top Cop’s advice to Traffic Police ...!

THE advice is full of wisdom -- by Nagpur’s Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal to the City Traffic Police Force -- ‘Be polite and full of kindness while managing traffic.’ This leadership action by Dr Singal -- aided by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP-Traffic) Mr Archit Chandak -- will certainly go a long way to mould the Traffic cops into a force with finer culture. The fact that the Commissioner of Police himself sat with the newly-appointed personnel in Traffic Police for the training ..

Of the poor, helpless traffic cops !

ANYBODY can see and sense the helplessness of Traffic Police in Nagpur. No, the purpose here is not to defend the cops and show them as symbols of goodness. They, too, have their own failings, all right. On occasions, they are slack and even indifferent to their own mandated task. Yet, they also find themselves pitted against larger numbers of people who appeared to have made it their mission to flout traffic rules and regulations. Against such (anti)-social menace, any police force would find things ..

Of young resolve against addiction

THE human chain formed by children of a school (Shri Ram School -- Hindi and English Medium) and Gayatri Parivar to highlight the dangers of addiction of banned substances made one feel happy that young people appear to realise the risks and dangers of wrong habits. From the point of view of scale, the event may be described by some as small (because possibly of numbers). Yet, the fact that school children could be motivated to form a human chain and show solidarity with the cause of fight against ..

Of the blatant, brazen blokes among us

THIS ISSUE -- of people’s unruly conduct on roads -- has a tendency to keep cropping up in public discourse again and again. There may not be any social conversation in town without a reference to the uncouth and brazen behaviour of the people in Maharashtra’s Second Capital. Unfortunately, we can see people from all walks of life -- from all economic segments -- indulging in blatant, brazen misconduct on roads or public places, breaking all rules and norms, and also defying common sense. In the process, ..

Of the lament of a son of the soil

NO MATTER the new (?) increasing numbers of cement roads in Nagpur and their paved sidewalks, the first impression one gets while moving around town is that the city-roads suffer from bad maintenance -- countless pot-holes, countless water puddles, countless street corners needing urgent repair, countless boulders and cement blocks at critical turns on roads ... ! There are countless spots on different city-roads where people keep tripping and hurting themselves and their two-wheelers or even four-wheelers..