Latest news with #KrishnaKhopde
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
NMC gets Rs315cr boost for infra, civic works
Nagpur: In a major pre-election push, the state govt has released Rs315 crore to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for key infrastructure and civic development works. The funds issued through two separate govt resolutions — one for Rs 175 crore and another for Rs 140 crore — were confirmed by senior civic officials. A substantial portion of the funds — over Rs 230 crore — will be allocated to six assembly constituencies in the city, based on proposals submitted by the respective MLAs. These include Krishna Khopde (East Nagpur), Mohan Mate (South Nagpur), Devendra Fadnavis (South-West), Pravin Datke (Central Nagpur), Vikas Thakre (West Nagpur), and Nitin Raut (North Nagpur). The projects will be approved and endorsed by district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, ensuring political oversight in the planning and disbursal process. Municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari on Tuesday held a meeting with departmental heads to fast-track proposals and initiate work under the new allocation. Of the total funds, Rs 70-80 crore will be distributed across all 10 NMC zonal offices for improvement of basic services. The focus will be on priority works such as constructing retaining walls for nullahs and rivers, setting up stormwater drainage networks, laying sewerage lines, and building small bridges. With four of the six constituencies represented by BJP MLAs, officials indicate that these areas may receive the lion's share of the allocation. MLAs have already begun submitting their lists of priority works, which include the construction of WBM roads, cement concrete roads, drain covers, and culverts. Many of these works are expected to be taken up on an urgent basis. The civic elections scheduled later this year could see the BJP gaining an edge due to the latest funding boost. All NMC departments — including public works (PWD), public health engineering (PHE), garden, and sports — have been instructed to submit proposals that can be executed quickly. The civic administration aims to use this funding as a springboard to address longstanding issues and visibly improve city infrastructure ahead of the civic elections. Despite this new allocation, the NMC is still awaiting Rs 411.86 crore projects already sanctioned before the 2024 assembly elections. These funds were approved under the urban development department led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. Officials claim the funds have not been released due to financial strain on the state exchequer caused by populist schemes. The NMC recently submitted a supplementary demand for the pending funds during the monsoon session of the state legislature, but no progress has been made. Fund Allocation Overview INFOBOX-1 Break-up of Rs 315 Crore State Grant to NMC Component--- Amount (in ₹ crore) GR 1 – General Civic Works--- 175 GR 2 – MLA Constituency Development--- 140 Total--- 315 Distribution Across 10 Zones INFOBOX-2 Estimated Distribution of Funds to NMC Zones Each of the 10 zones to receive approximately: Zone--- Estimated Fund (Rs crore) Dharampeth--- 7–8 Laxmi Nagar--- 7–8 Nehru Nagar--- 7–8 Gandhibagh--- 7–8 Hanuman Nagar--- 7–8 Dhantoli--- 7–8 Satranjipura--- 7–8 Ashi Nagar--- 7–8 Mangalwari--- 7–8 Lakadganj--- 7–8 INFOBOX-3 Priority Works List Where the Money Will Go – Priority Civic Projects Retaining walls for nullahs and rivers Stormwater drainage networks Sewerage pipelines WBM & cement concrete roads Small bridges and culverts Garden & sports infrastructure upgrades INFOBOX-4 Six Assembly Constituencies MLA--- Party--- Constituency Devendra Fadnavis ---BJP--- South-West Nagpur Krishna Khopde ---BJP--- East Nagpur Mohan Mate ---BJP--- South Nagpur Pravin Datke ---BJP--- Central Nagpur Vikas Thakre ---Congress--- West Nagpur Nitin Raut ---Congress--- North Nagpur Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to approve constituency-level works INFOBOX-5 Pending Fund Details Sanctioned but Not Disbursed Amount Pending: ₹411.86 crore Sanctioned: Before 2024 assembly polls Department: Urban development (Dy CM Eknath Shinde)
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Khopde takes charge as NIT trustee; vows to prioritise Gunthewari regularisation
1 2 Nagpur: Senior BJP leader and four-time MLA from East Nagpur, Krishna Khopde, on Monday took charge as trustee of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). The appointment was celebrated with great enthusiasm by party workers and supporters, who gathered in large numbers at the NIT office for the formal oath-taking ceremony. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who attended the function as the chief guest, hailed Khopde's appointment, calling it a step that will benefit the common people. He said Khopde's proven track record of working for the underprivileged and transforming East Nagpur into a development model made him the right choice for the post. The event was attended by BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari, NIT chairman Sanjay Meena, former MLAs Anil Sole, Vikas Kumbhare, Sudhakar Deshmukh, and several ex-corporators and party officials. In his address, Khopde thanked the party leadership and vowed to focus on regularising unauthorised layouts under the Gunthewari Act, 2020. "We've already provided land rights to many slum dwellers through NIT. Under the leadership of CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, we ensured ownership rights to thousands. Now, we will give top priority to the registration and regularisation of plots in all unauthorised layouts," Khopde said.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Khopde Gets NIT Trustee Post After Cabinet Snub
1 2 3 Nagpur: Ahead of the Maharashtra cabinet expansion, there was strong buzz surrounding East Nagpur's veteran BJP leader and four-time MLA Krishna Khopde, with many expecting his elevation to a ministerial role. After securing the highest victory margin in Vidarbha this time, he was felicitated in Mumbai by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, when the final list of ministers was released, Khopde's name was absent once again, which was widely seen as 'political neglect'. In what appears to be a face-saving move, the BJP has now appointed Khopde as a trustee of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) — a body he himself publicly demanded be dissolved multiple times in the state assembly. Originally set up during the British era for city planning, NIT was expected to be scrapped after the formation of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). During Fadnavis's earlier tenure as CM, the govt initiated a phased dismantling of NIT. But after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt came to power, the decision was overturned and the trust was reinstated. With the Mahayuti govt now back in power, BJP MLA Pravin Datke and Khopde both renewed their demand to scrap NIT during the ongoing Assembly sessions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like local network access control Esseps Learn More Undo Ironically, Khopde — who had called for its dissolution — has now been made one of its trustees, triggering sharp political commentary over the BJP's internal power dynamics. Khopde is known in political circles as a 'giant killer', having defeated senior Congress leader and former guardian minister Satish Chaturvedi in what was once considered a Congress stronghold in East Nagpur. Khopde was only a corporator, and his victory was seen as a major upset. Despite his strong grassroot base, Khopde was repeatedly overlooked for ministerial roles. In 2014, he even offered to vacate his seat for Nitin Gadkari to become CM — a move seen as politically overzealous and one that may have worked against him within party ranks, said political experts. While the NIT trustee position holds administrative significance, it lacks political clout and visibility of a cabinet post — leading many to see this as a consolation prize rather than a genuine reward for loyalty and electoral success. Khopde, though holding no new official post, said he continues to work with NIT and has been given added responsibilities. He has formed a five-member committee to clear long-pending reservation corrections and encroachments within a year. Another panel will tackle smaller, overlooked reservations. He also highlighted a new order to regularize Gunthewari layouts, protecting plot holders from extortion and enabling regulation based on valid agreements and NIT records.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Two new flyovers in east Nagpur to open for public soon
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: The city is witnessing a significant infrastructure boom, with several major projects progressing simultaneously. In a major development, two new flyovers are set to open to the public in the coming days, promising much-needed relief from traffic congestion in East two flyovers — one from Itwari to Bhandewadi (Road over Bridge or RoB), and another from Lakadganj police station to Wardhaman Nagar — are expected to decongest these busy areas and substantially reduce travel time. Both projects were constructed by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC), also known as MahaRail, as part of their ongoing multi-crore infrastructure drive in the flyovers were initiated following consistent efforts by East Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde and are expected to significantly benefit local residents and to MRIDC sources, the first flyover — connecting Lakadganj Police Station and Wardhaman Nagar — is built along Old Bhandara Road. "The flyover was constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹135 crore, fully funded by the urban development department of the Maharashtra government. It is a two-lane structure and most of the work has already been completed," the sources 1.37 km, the flyover will connect two densely populated areas that frequently experience traffic jams due to a high concentration of shops and commercial establishments. "The construction was completed ahead of schedule," added the second project — a Road over Bridge (RoB) — spans the Nagbhid section of the South East Central Railway at Dipti Signal. "This RoB connects Itwari to Bhandewadi. The main portion is fully constructed, while an additional arm towards Kalamna is still under construction and will require another one and a half months to complete," said MRIDC 722-metre-long RoB was built at a cost of approximately ₹50 crore, fully funded under the Setu Bandhan Scheme of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The structure features two lanes and two arms for better structural work on both flyovers now complete, final finishing touches are underway. MRIDC is planning an official inauguration, expected to take place either by the end of this month or early next month.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sans fanfare, citizens open Kalamna-Kawrapeth RoB
Nagpur: Following increasing demand to open the railway over bridge (RoB) between Kalamna and Kawrapeth, division 3 of the state public works department (PWD) on Friday opened the wing of the Kalamna-Rajiv Nagar flyover for light vehicles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now BJP workers inaugurated the flyover without any official function and allowed motorists to use it. According to PWD sources, the work order for Kalamna-Rajiv Nagar RoB was issued in September 2021. "The RoB was constructed as there were three railway lines on the Rajiv Gandhi or Kawrapeth to Old Kamptee Road, and motorists used to waste a lot of time at these level crossings. The RoB connects two existing flyovers — Shanti Nagar-Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and Kawrapeth — and does not have a landing," said PWD officials. The complicated, 1.09 km long flyover was built at the cost of Rs141.62 crore against the Rs180 crore administrative approval. The work was completed in September 2024, overshooting the deadline by one year due to various reasons, including utility shifting, etc. After the construction of the flyover was complete in September, a joint inspection was carried out by PWD officials and the traffic department of city police led by DCP (traffic) Archit Chandak. The traffic department raised several questions on the design of the flyover and raised concerns that it could lead to accidents. "The traffic department proposed many measures, including changes in its design. So, it was not opened for motorists," said PWD sources. Meanwhile, local residents started complaining about the delay in throwing open the flyover even after the construction was over. They also approached MLA Krishna Khopde, who too raised the issue with PWD officials. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now PWD sources said that finally, a report was submitted by the traffic department about temporary measures, including installing height barriers and others, to open the flyover for light vehicles. "We implemented the measures after which the light vehicles were allowed to ply on the flyover from Friday," said PWD sources. PWD officials added that implementing the long-term measures, including widening the flyover at some locations, would take around four to five months. "The RoB is built to accommodate heavy vehicles, and after the long-term measures are implemented, it would be thrown open for heavy vehicles too. The funds leftover from administrative approved amount would be used for implementing the measures," said a PWD official.
