Nagpur

Who will serve taxpayers? HC questions, grills NMC, PWD over flooded roads

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday orally pulled up the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and the Public Works Department (PWD) over water-logging near Somalwar School at Khamla on July 28 during heavy rains. The court observed that citizens and school students should not suffer because Government departments are shifting responsibility onto each other. A division bench of Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Nivedita Mehta heard the Public ..

Fake Instagram account blackmail & brutality

A fake Instagram profile. Friendly chats. Intimate photographs shared. Then came blackmail, threats and repeated sexual abuse. The horrifying ordeal of a 16-year-old girl finally ended when Hudkeshwar Police broke open the door of a rented room in Dighori and rescued her. After entering the room, the sight left the police shaken. The girl was lying naked on a bed with her hands and legs tied. The accused youth was standing behind her holding a belt and a knife was lying near the bed. The girl’s body ..

FDA portal flooded with rivalry-driven plaints

 By Rohit Pawar : 103 grievances received from Nagpur division since July 15; complaints range from pan masala sales near schools to restaurant hygiene and consumer issues  The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) artifi..

Adulteration concerns Analogue paneer banned across State for a year

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited manufacture, processing, preparation, packing, storage, distribution, transport and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer across the State for one year, citing persistent adulteration, consumer deception and public health concerns. The order, issued by Tukaram Mundhe, Food Safety Commissioner, Maharashtra, under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, took immediate effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette ..

Land acquisition begins for Dedicated Freight Corridor

The ambitious East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) that would pass through Nagpur is finally on the track as Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has initiated work related to acquisition of land for the project. The Corporation, a public sector unit of Ministry of Railways, has notified intention to acquire land parcels on New Gondia to New Uslapur section on the Mumbai-Howrah route, one of the major commercial operational routes of Indian Railways. This is about ..

Last 9 mins reveal chilling bridge murder mystery

A lonely bridge. A heated argument and nine terrifying minutes. Police say these were the final moments before Ashwini alias Aashi Dey (29) was pushed to death by her boyfriend at Kanhan river bridge. Police believe 29-year-old Aashi Dey spent her final moments arguing with her alleged boyfriend before she was pushed off the bridge onto the rocks below. The murder, they suspect, took place between 2.08 am and 2.17 am on Monday. The accused, Ashish alias Monu Kishor Manpiya (31), a history-sheeter ..

Fake ipo investment scam Special Task Force arrests cyber fraud kingpin with 3,000 complaints

The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested the alleged mastermind of a nationwide cyber fraud racket from Nagpur. The accused allegedly cheated thousands of people by promising huge returns through fake stock market and IPO investments. The accused has been identified as Anurag Arvind Srivastava. He was arrested on July 31 from his house in the Mankapur police station area...

New Fire Stn on cards for Besa-Pipla region

Tagged as one of the faster urbanising area on the outskirts of city, and also seeing growth in skyscrappers, the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat is putting in place a wider plan to be ready for future challenges, and plans a spacious and modern fire station. Currently, a fire tender parked along the roadside due to lack of space near the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat office has highlighted the growing need for better fire fighting infrastructure in one of Nagpur’s fastest-expanding localities. In view of ..

Waste to Wealth: Biodegradable, eco-friendly tableware from citrus waste

Addressing the long-standing challenge of disposing of citrus processing waste, the ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI), Nagpur, has successfully developed eco-friendly biodegradable tableware from citrus peel and other by-products. The innovation offers a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic and thermocol products while transforming agricultural waste into a valuable resource that can generate additional revenue for citrus processors, strengthen the citrus value chain and ..

City enters Indian Book of Records with 121 consecutive duet songs

Nagpur witnessed a musical achievement as 112 singers came together on a single stage to perform 121 consecutive duet songs, earning a place in the Indian Book of Records 2026. The record-setting event was organised by the Dr Dande Foundation and Shanti Ganeshotsav Sanskritik Mandal in association with the Mohammed Rafi Sanskritik Manch as a tribute to legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi. The programme titled ‘Gaye Chala Ja’ was conceptualised by veteran singer Sunil Kumar Waghmare...

Potholes expose iron bars on four years old bridge on Kanhan river

Just days after a chunk of the flyover built by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) near Mansar, built only a few years ago, collapsed, another bridge has developed a similar defect. The bridge, also built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Kanhan river between Kamptee and Kanhan, was opened for traffic four years ago. The carriageway of the bridge has now developed potholes with exposed iron reinforcement bars, posing a serious risk to commuters. The bridge, inaugurated ..

Illegal hawkers taking over Veterinary College Rd

In a dramatic shift along one of city’s most prominent recreational stretches, the footpaths and plazas surrounding Futala Lake have been cleared of illegal street vendors by a joint operation by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and city police. For over a month, the bustling lakefront which was plagued by persistent encroachments, severe traffic congestion, and illegal stalls for decades, has now remained entirely vendor-free. However, this sudden clearance was not driven solely by civic planning...

‘Pollution-free Nagpur’ portal to provide single window for noise complaints, NMC tells HC

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has informed the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court that it is developing an integrated online platform called “Pollution Free Nagpur” to help citizens report noise pollution complaints through a single system. The information was submitted through an additional affidavit filed by Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on rising noise pollution in the city. During the hearing, a division bench of Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke ..

RTMNU suspends fresh admissions to university hostel for 2026–27

Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has suspended fresh admissions to its University Students’ Hostel for the 2026–27 academic session. For, the hostel building is set to undergo major renovation and repair works expected to take around 12 months to complete...

State clears Chichghat Lift Irrigation Scheme at Kuhi

  By Sagar Mohod : The Scheme will benefit irrigation of 3715 hectares land in 18 villages  The project was conceptualised in year 2007-08 p Revised administrative sanction was accorded in March this year  Providing a major boost..

Third Ring Road land acquisition: Farmers demand higher compensation

  Staff Reporter :  Unhappy over the compensation proposed by the State Government, the farmers affected by the proposed third Ring Road Project have sought an upward revision. This was resolved during a joint meeting of farmers from nine..

New cement roads block stormwater drains, trigger water-logging in city

The intense downpour that lashed the city on July 28 has exposed critical engineering flaws in the road infrastructure in the city, with elevated cement roads emerging as a primary trigger for widespread urban flooding, as same has resulted in mismatch in the levels. Logic says that while constructing any road, the contractor needs to keep in mind the drainage system, as it is the basic fact and without it the stretch is going to get submerged even after light drizzle. Three to four hour spell of ..

‘Vichar-Shunyata’ is the biggest challenge today: Tukaram Mundhe

Warning against what he described as an age of ‘vichar-shunyata’, the gradual loss of the ability to think critically before reacting — Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Sunday urged students not to get swayed with the crowd. He was addressing students at a scholarship distribution and career guidance programme organised by the Smrutishesh Madhukarrao Tamgadge Charitable Trust at Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Hall. “Knowledge has become very easy to obtain, but people ..

Educational institutions must embrace AI, emerging technologies to shape future-ready citizens: Fadnavis

“Educational institutions must embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to prepare future-ready citizens. Along with creating employable graduates, universities must nurture responsible and meaningful citizens capable of leading the nation in the era of technological transformation,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday. He was speaking at the inauguration of the AI Centre of Competency – Powered by NVIDIA, during ‘Gyanodaya 2026,’ the induction programme of first ..

Digras spinning mill exports first thread consignment to China

In a significant milestone for the textile sector in Vidarbha, Ramdas Athawale Spinning Mill at Digras has exported its first consignment of cotton thread to China, marking the beginning of its entry into the international market. Two containers carrying 41 tonnes of thread recently left the mill for China after the product successfully met international quality standards. The development is being seen as a major achievement for the region’s textile industry and a boost to local employment. The spinning ..

HC warns of FIR if Govt lawyers appeared sans authorisation in Ring Road land case

The compensation was allegedly enhanced ten-fold by the Reference Court..

Indian classical music is foundation of all music: Pt Ronu Majumdar

A raga can be performed a hundred times. Yet, according to Padma Shri flautist Pt Ronu Majumdar, it is never the same twice. The notes may belong to the same composition, but the performance changes with every concert, every audience, and every moment. That freedom to improvise, he believes, is what sets Hindustani classical music apart. “Indian classical music is the foundation of all music,” he stated. “Our music is not written music,” he explained. “Though we can write it when needed, it is all ..

More than mic and melody How Live Music culture is finding its rhythm

On weekends, an increasing number of cafes and restaurants across Nagpur are replacing background music with live performers. Acoustic guitars, live bands and solo singers have become familiar additions to the city’s dining scene, which goes on to show the growing appetite Nagpur has for live music. For independent musicians, this shift has opened new avenues to perform and connect with listeners, as the city’s live music ecosystem continues to evolve. Musicians who have witnessed the city’s transformation ..

An ‘art’ fading with time’s ‘craft’

The smell of poster colours, sharpened pencils, crayons and glue once signalled the arrival of summer vacations. For thousands of children, holidays meant attending drawing classes, making paper flowers, painting landscapes, moulding clay and proudly bringing home handmade creations. Today, that vibrant culture is slowly fading, replaced by screens, coaching classes and packed schedules. Across Nagpur, children enrolling in summer drawing and arts-and-crafts classes seem to have declined over the ..

Zadipatti cuisine A hidden gem of Vidarbha

Zadipatti cuisine begins long before a meal reaches the plate. It begins in eastern Vidarbha’s paddy fields after the monsoon, in forests where edible flowers bloom for only a few weeks, in village boundaries where wild greens emerge with the first rains, and in courtyards where vegetables are dried under the sun for seasons yet to come. Spread across the forested districts of Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, Zadipatti is celebrated for its folk theatre and Zhadiboli dialect. Less documented, ..

July 28 deluge leaves Shyam Nagar residents with hefty bills

Tuesday’s (July 28) torrential rain left behind more than waterlogged streets for residents of Shyam Nagar and parts of Manish Nagar. As knee-height water inundated the locality, homes were flooded, food grains were destroyed, appliances were rendered unusable and families were left to bear losses running into thousands, with residents alleging that poor drainage and official negligence worsened the situation. After the heavy rain, flood water entered houses, forcing families to hurriedly shift their ..

Rs 14.78 cr spent on river cleaning in 5 yrs, still water-logging persists

Moderate to heavy rain is enough to paralyse Nagpur as roads across the Second Capital of the State get submerged leaving motorists stranded and citizens mere spectators with their homes flooded. This has become a common problem for Nagpurians during monsoon. Despite spending crores on pre-monsoon desilting and river cleaning exercise by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), city continues to face severe water-logging on daily basis during monsoon. While heavy rainfall is often a reason, a Right To ..

MSIDC gets nod to redevelop prime118 acre Central Jail estate

Fate of sprawling Nagpur Central Jail is now sealed as Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) got the nod to go ahead with leveraging the 118 acre prime real estate on Wardha Road for establishment of a Central Business District (CBD). The lush green corridor, one of the last few remaining institution lands, will give way to already growing concrete jungle in the city. The MSIDC has dubbed the project as holistic redevelopment on either Public Private Partnership (PPP) or ..

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma in city today

Jishnu Dev Varma, Governor of Maharashtra, will be on a day-long visit to the city on Friday. According to the official programme, the Governor will arrive at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport at 11.40 am. He will then proceed to Lok Bhavan, where he will attend launch of mega tree plantation drive to plant 10 lakh trees in city and district, at 1.30 pm. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mayor Neeta Thakre, and ..

MTDC eyeing land in city for Shiv Srushti
Plans major tourism push in Vidarbha

“The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is scouting for suitable land to establish the proposed ‘Shiv Srushti’ theme park under the State Government’s plan to develop five such projects across Maharashtra,” said Nilesh Gatne, Managing Director, MTDC, on Friday. Addressing a press conference during his three-day visit to Vidarbha, Gatne said the proposed theme park would require 25 to 30 acres of land. “We have requested Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV) to provide suitable ..

City taxpayers under scanner of CBDT for filing bogus ITRs

tax practitioners warn that deduction claims of Nagpur taxpayers are likely to go under stricter scrutiny before refunds are released. This follows the Central Board of Direct Taxes’ (CBDT) scrutiny of bogus deduction claims, following action against organised tax evasion networks across the country, including in Vidarbha’s Gondia and Buldhana districts. It has cast a long shadow over this year’s Income Tax Return (ITR) processing. The department had unearthed organised bogus deduction claims in several ..

Relative booked for sharing edited obscene photos, videos of woman on Instagram

Gittikhadan Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act against a man for circulating edited obscene photos and videos of his married relative on Instagram. The accused has been identified as Alim Mehboob Shaikh. The 31-year-old complainant lives in the Gittikhadan area with her husband and children. According to the complaint, on June 26, edited obscene photos and videos of the woman were sent to her husband’s WhatsApp number. She did not approach the police immediately as ..

Art keeps your moral memory intact: Prajakt Deshmukh

There is a curious quality to ‘Sangeet Devbabhali’. Even after the curtain falls, conversations around the play continue. That explains why audiences continue to return to it year after year. Writer and director of the play Prajakt Deshmukh finds a philospohical connection to its enduring relevance. “Art keeps your moral memory intact,” he reasons, while reflecting on the journey of ‘Sangeet Devbabhali’. Deshmukh believes the play’s enduring success lies in its simplicity. Maharashtrian audiences ..

Pt Ronu Majumdar enchants audience Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Smruti Sangeet Samaroh

The final evening of the Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Smruti Sangeet Samaroh belonged to the flute. The first notes of the evening were played by Padma Shri Pt Ronu Majumdar’s accompanying flautist, Kalpesh Sachla, but the moment Pt Majumdar’s lips touched the flute, it was as though life itself had been breathed in the room. Setting the tone for the evening, Pt Majumdar switched to a larger flute...

Youth stranded in flood for 8 hrs, rescued

Prompt action by disaster management team and Allipur Police saved the life of a youth who was stuck in floodwater of Yashoda river for nearly eight hours. Akshay Mate, a youth from Palasgaon in Hinganghat tehsil, was swept 300 feet away by floodwaters of Yashoda river in Allipur circle. Akshay displayed immense courage by clinging to a tree branch...

GAIL, RCF sign MoU for Rs 10,000 cr fertiliser project at Saoner

The proposed gas-based fertiliser project at Saoner in Nagpur district has received a major boost with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF) on Wednesday. The project, involving an investment of approximately Rs 10,000 crore, is expected to significantly strengthen the region’s industrial and agricultural landscape. The MoU was signed in New Delhi by Sanjay Agarwal, Executive Director, ..

10 months on, work on Rs 3 crore FoBs for Inner Ring Rd yet to begin

With the completion deadline fast approaching, the State Public Works Department’s Rs 3 crore project to construct two foot overbridges (FoBs) on city’s busy Inner Ring Road has failed to move beyond paperwork. Nearly 10 months after the work order was issued, not a single foundation has been laid, exposing another major delay in one of the city’s key road safety projects. The two FoBs, announced in July 2025, were to be completed within 12 months, including the monsoon period...

Urbanisation upping need for reforms in Revenue Deptt: Collector

“A revenue administration whose foundation was laid during the Maratha Empire period and later re-organised under the British rule is being modernised to meet the demands of a rapidly urbanising district, with technology-driven governance, simplified procedures, quicker service delivery and time-bound disposal of cases driving the transformation,” said District Collector Kumar Ashirwad. In an interaction with ‘The Hitavada’, Ashirwad said rapid urbanisation, expanding infrastructure, increasing land ..

NMC plans hawkers’ management policy 10 roads selected for pilot project

To alleviate urban traffic congestion and restore pedestrian safety across city’s footpaths, Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar chaired a high-level review meeting on ‘On-Street Parking and Street Vendors Management’ at Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Headquarters, Civil Lines, on Thursday. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Aditya Mirkhelkar, NMC Deputy Commissioner Mangesh Khawale, Chief Engineer Leena Upadhye, Executive Engineer Alpana Patne, alongside experts ..

State Govt nod to maize ethanol plant in Gondia

Maize is the new wonder crop in the farms, as it is now fuelling India’s ethanol push in tune with the targets of National Agricultural Development Scheme goals, Maharashtra Government has ayed an outlay of Rs 115 crore in year 2026-27 for Gondia district where a new ethanol plant is coming up. As part of crop diversification, the State Government has found maize as the most suitable for farmland in the region, and same is seen as a way to supplement farmers’ income. As the plant would be using maize ..

‘Hypocrisy biggest challenge for Hindustani music’

“There is a famous saying in the Hindi heartland — Raag, rasoi, pagdi kabhi kabhi ban jaaye.” It was not a quote about music theory or performance technique. It was a proverb. It refers to three things that can never be guaranteed: a musical performance, a meal in the kitchen and the tying of a turban. All three demand skill. All three require years of practice. Yet none can be taken for granted. For Shubha Mudgal, that uncertainty has never disappeared. Not after decades on stage. Not after years ..

City-based mining veteran Madhu Nair ‘Redefining Possibilities’ to recover critical minerals

“EXPERIENCE can be great, but creating a legacy is better.” Madhu Nair, a power and mining industry veteran with over 40 years of experience in the field, has embarked upon the journey of creating a legacy. He is on a mission to fulfill India’s aim of extraction of coal-based Rare Earth Elements (REE) in the country. In his early 70s, Nair, a mechanical engineer by profession, is looking forward to explore new fields and blaze a new trail. CEO of MaxelS Tekventures Pvt. Ltd. Nagpur, Nair is now passionatel..

‘Mah to become first State in India with highest tiger population soon’

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis believes that the adoption of scientific prospective and maintaining natural habitat for tiger conservation will help Maharashtra to become the first State in the country in terms of tiger population. Fadnavis made this statement during the International Tiger Day programme conducted by Maharashtra Forest Department at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur on Wednesday. Fadnavis further informed that the State has formulated five-point plan to take this work ..

Potholes everywhere: Sakkardara roads become nightmare for commuters

Every journey across the city has turned into an unavoidable obstacle course. From major arterial roads to narrow residential lanes, potholes, crumbling surfaces and uneven patches have become the defining feature of Nagpur’s m..

Nagpur is drowning; Not because of rain alone, but because of failure of planning

The extensive coverage in ‘The Hitavada’ on Nagpur’s collapse after Tuesday’s 180 mm rainfall is not merely a report on an extreme weather event; it is a damning report card of our city’s governance. Every page tells the same story: flooded roads, submerged underpasses, stranded school children, paralysed traffic, inundated homes, failed drainage systems and helpless citizens. The common thread is not rainfall, but administrative failure. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Public Works Department ..

Police must inform IT Deptt ofcash seizures above Rs 10 lakh

NAGPUR City Police have directed all the police stations and Crime Branch units to immediately inform the Income Tax Department whenever they seize cash or valuables worth more than Rs 10 lakh. The order has been issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Deepak Agrawal. It follows a letter from the Principal Director of Income Tax (Investigation), Nagpur. The directive has been issued to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions. Under the new instructions, police officers must ..

Torrential rains drench city School students rescued using excavator

  Quick thinking on part of Fire Brigade of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) led to successful rescue operation in Narendra Nagar, where tiny tots were caught in the floods. The personnel of Fire Brigade deployed a excavator to pull out the s..

Nagpur receives 180 mm rains
Red Alert for Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia todayOrange Alert for Nagpur, Amravati, Bhandara, Wardha

 Staff Reporter :  The torrential rains on Tuesday in city triggered panic among citizens and recalled the catastrophic September 23, 2023 flash floods that wreaked havoc among people of Nagpur. In 2023, city witnessed 110 mm of rainfall in just..

Torrential rains drench city Submerged vehicles add to misery

 Staff Reporter :  The heavy rainfall witnessed on Tuesday turned the city into ponds, leaving scores of two-wheelers and four-wheelers submerged and their owners zoning out thinking about the hefty repair bills. As rainwater rapidly accumulate..

Torrential rains drench city Flood-control system at Narendra Nagar RuB fails, traffic disrupted

Despite recently installed advanced storm water drainage and pumping system, the Narendra Nagar Railway under Bridge (RuB) once again got water-logged after the heavy downpour on Tuesday. The newly installed water drainage and pumping system, which was introduced with assurances of resolving the long-standing waterlogging problem, failed to prevent flooding, leaving commuters stranded. Following intense rainfall, both sides of the underpass were submerged under several inches of water...