Latest news with #GajendraMahalle
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Time of India
Fire at open plot in Najaf Colony raises alarm over unchecked garbage dumping
Nagpur: A major fire broke out at an open plot in Najaf Colony recently, exposing garbage dumping in the open and civic apathy. Once a clean land parcel, the plot has steadily turned into a dumping ground, primarily due to indiscriminate disposal of waste. The Times of India visited the spot to gauge the extent of the negligence. Pruned branches, plastic bags, construction debris, and dry waste were scattered across the plot. A man was seen throwing freshly cut branches from his lemon tree into the heap, while nearby, chunks of debris from an under-construction building were being dumped openly. A local resident who witnessed the fire said the flames quickly grew over 10 feet tall. Panicked residents rushed to the spot with water-filled buckets and garden hoses to douse the flames. A generator is installed at a spot close to where the fire started. "Had the flames reached the generator, the situation could have turned dangerous," the resident said. The fire brigade rushed to the spot on being informed and doused the blaze before it could spread further. No injuries were reported, but the incident served as a wake-up call about the dangers of unchecked littering and illegal dumping. The plot is located a short distance away from an NMC-designated garbage black spot, another area grappling with improper waste disposal issues. The proximity of two unmanaged garbage sites has raised concerns among citizens and civic activists, who now demand immediate action and stricter enforcement. Speaking to TOI, Gajendra Mahalle, chief sanitary officer of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), said, "I am not aware of a fire in Najaf Colony specifically, but there is regular door-to-door collection at Mankapur. Usually open plots turn filthy due to accumulation of dry leaves or illegal dumping." Mahale added that NMC issues notices to owners of open plots, granting them eight days to clear the waste. "If they fail to comply, we clean it ourselves and levy a fine. If the fine is not paid, we file an FIR," the official said. While the fire didn't cause major damage, residents said the fire has reignited discussions around the need for better waste management, stronger civic engagement, and stricter monitoring to prevent future disasters.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
NMC Reappoints Silent ‘Swachh' Ambassadors, Overlooks Real Ground-Level Champions
Nagpur: In yet another instance of tokenism trumping accountability, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Friday reappointed 10 individuals as Swachh Bharat brand ambassadors — despite the fact that most of them were inactive throughout the past year. Shockingly, some didn't even attend their own reappointment ceremony. According to insiders and civic records, barring a civic activist and a homemaker — both of whom consistently supported NMC-led cleanliness campaigns — the rest of the ambassadors neither showed up for official initiatives nor launched any public awareness activities independently. Despite this, the civic body once again handed out the honorary titles, ignoring grassroots workers who have been relentlessly promoting hygiene, waste segregation, and sustainable practices in the city. A senior NMC official summed up the frustration: "We see housing society groups conducting composting workshops, young volunteers organising street cleaning drives, and NGOs educating slum clusters on segregation. But these names — mostly influencers, radio jockeys, bloggers, and fitness coaches — have done virtually nothing for the cause." Shockingly, at least three of the reappointed ambassadors did not even turn up for the installation event. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 6 sätt att gå i pension bekvämt med 3 000 000 kr Fisher Invest. Norden Undo Yet, their absence didn't deter additional municipal commissioner Vasumana Pant and chief sanitation officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle from handing out offer letters to eight others at a function. Defending the reappointments, Dr Mahalle claimed, "They often participate in civic body events," though NMC failed to provide any Swachh Bharat awareness programme which they either attended or organised awareness drives in their localities. The current list includes a mix of digital influencers with thousands of followers, a sportsperson with marathon credentials, a transgender representative, and individuals from entertainment and wellness backgrounds. But residents question the effectiveness of giving out ceremonial titles without any performance audit. "There's zero accountability. This is a publicity stunt that insults the work of hundreds of citizens who sweat it out for cleanliness without any recognition," said a civic group member from Dharampeth. With the city fairing poorly in Swachh Survekshan rankings since the last couple of years, critics argue that Nagpur's symbolic approach could hurt its performance in future rankings too, which increasingly rely on authentic citizen participation. Without a structured evaluation framework or criteria for impact, the brand ambassador initiative risks becoming irrelevant. "If NMC is serious about cleanliness, it must stop chasing popularity and start rewarding dedication," said a vigilant citizen. "Otherwise, these invisible ambassadors will only tarnish the very mission they're supposed to lead."
Time of India
17-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
NMC to add 4 more LPG crematoriums as ecofriendly options expand
1 2 3 Nagpur: In a major step to promote environmentally sustainable last rites, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to add four more LPG-based cremation facilities at Manewada, Mankapur, Shanti Nagar, and Narsala. The civil structures at all four sites are ready, and installation work will begin soon, said chief sanitary officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle. A budget of Rs1.85 crore was allocated for the project in 2024-25. These new units will join existing LPG crematoriums at Sahkar Nagar, Ambazari, and Mokshadham. NMC also operates six briquette-based units at Ambazari, Sahkar Nagar, Mokshadham, Mankapur, Manewada, and Gangabai Ghat, and diesel-based systems at Vaishali Nagar and Gangabai. Wood-based cremation, however, remains available at all 21 crematoriums in the city. The civic body is also preparing to launch Nagpur's first electric crematorium at Mokshadham under the Nag River Pollution Abatement Project. Despite the expansion of cleaner alternatives, over 70% of the city's 17,414 cremations in 2024-25 — around 12,260 - were still conducted using firewood. Civic officials cite deep-rooted traditions, limited awareness, and resistance to behavioural change as major hurdles. Experts warn that the continued use of wood-based cremations is contributing to poor air quality and rising public health concerns.
