Nagpur’s development leap: Enhanced security, digital education, and revamped infrastructure on the horizon

Nagpur: The city is set to witness a series of developmental initiatives as the District Planning Committee (DPC) has proposed projects aimed at improving security, education, and public infrastructure in the district.

At the DPC meeting chaired by guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday, key decisions were made to strengthen policing, upgrade schools, and make public spaces more accessible. Officials were directed to ensure smooth implementation of these projects to maximise benefits for citizens.

One of the major decisions was to make public parks, including Ambazari Lake Park, accessible to citizens. Many parks have remained closed due to administrative issues, depriving residents of essential recreational spaces. Bawankule instructed officials to resolve jurisdictional conflicts and ensure proper upkeep of these parks, emphasising that open public spaces are necessary for community well-being.

In a separate financial move, the DPC also approved the utilisation of Rs 40 crore in unspent Zilla Parishad funds. Finance minister Ajit Pawar recently cleared the amount for pending and new projects, ensuring that critical initiatives do not face financial bottlenecks, said Bawankule.

A significant portion of these funds — Rs 20 crore — will go toward digitising govt school classrooms, with equal distribution between rural and urban areas. The move aims to enhance learning experiences through modern technology, particularly benefiting students in rural regions who have limited access to digital education tools.

Security improvements also featured prominently in the discussions. Plans to repair and install 4,000 Smart City CCTV cameras were approved, with instructions to ensure that all non-functional cameras are restored at the earliest.

Authorities were directed to integrate fibre optic support to strengthen surveillance infrastructure. Additionally, a proposal for establishing a new police zone in Kamptee was submitted, considering the city's expanding security requirements. The police department was asked to provide a detailed report within a week to justify the need for additional policing measures.

Another key issue discussed was the govt's solar pump policy in Kalmeshwar, Katol, and Narkhed. Farmers and representatives raised concerns that deep groundwater levels — exceeding 800 feet in some areas — render the project impractical. A reassessment of the policy was assured to ensure a more feasible irrigation solution for the region's agricultural needs.

In the domain of religious tourism, several pilgrimage sites in the district have been granted Class C pilgrimage status, allowing them to receive infrastructural upgrades. Key sites, including the Buddhist Vihar in Bhanegaon and the Hanuman Mandir in Sonegaon, will see improvements in visitor facilities. Local representatives have also been encouraged to propose additional sites for development under this initiative.

Meanwhile, concerns regarding the execution of the Jal Jeevan Mission were briefly reviewed, following deliberations in a previous meeting where irregularities were flagged for further scrutiny.

Bawankule inaugurates health services and road cleaning machines

Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule inaugurated multiple health and infrastructure projects during the District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting on Friday. The health department provided nine new ambulances to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Bhiwapur, Hingna, and other talukas. An advanced life-support ambulance equipped for emergency cases was also introduced.

Additionally, four mechanised road sweeping machines were launched for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) under the 15th Finance Commission grant. These machines, equipped with water spray technology, aim to improve cleanliness while reducing air pollution. The inauguration took place at the District Planning Building in Civil Lines, attended by public representatives and officials. As part of the ongoing healthcare development, modular operation theatres and delivery rooms are being constructed at the Sub-District Hospital in Kamptee and rural hospitals in Kalmeshwar, Katol, Hingna, and Mouda. These facilities will soon be available for public use.

Key decisions and directives during DPC

* Jal Jeevan Mission Inquiry: Investigation by Economic Offences wing due to corruption allegations

* Open public parks: Parks like Ambazari Lake Park to be made accessible to citizens

* Digital classrooms initiative: Rs 10 crore allocated for rural & urban govt schools' digitisation

* Solar pump policy review: Decision reconsidered for Kalmeshwar, Katol, and Narkhed due to deep groundwater levels

* CCTV network & policing: Plan to repair & install 4,000 Smart City cameras; proposal for new police zone in Kamptee

* Pilgrimage site upgradation: Approval for Class C status to key religious sites in Nagpur district

* Budget allocations proposal: Rs 1,200cr for the general plan, Rs 250cr for SC Sub Plan, Rs150cr for Tribal sub plan