Nagpur: 8 meat shops operating on NMC land, officials look the other way

NAGPUR: Meat sellers have constructed permanent shops on land owned by the civic body along Inner Ring Road over a decade ago. But, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) claims to have launched a drive against encroachments on public places, but is overlooking the same on its own property.
The NMC issued a press release on Monday, informing that it would launch a massive drive against encroachments on public places and also action against unauthorized constructions from Tuesday.
The motive of the drive is to ease congestion on roads, prevent uncleanliness, and give a neat and clean look to the city.
Following the news report, residents of Omkar Nagar approached TOI and informed they have been complaining about encroachments by eight shopkeepers on NMC land for over a decade and no one is taking action.
The land was acquired along Inner Ring Road during its construction in 1990s.
A large piece of land remained vacant after completion of road work. Over a decade ago, eight persons erected temporary stalls and started to sell mutton and chicken.
“We lodged a series of complaints with NMC as well as police department. In nexus with officials of NMC Hanuman Nagar Zone, the shops have done pucca construction a few months ago. We again lodged complaint with NMC Hanuman Nagar Zone in May. Only after we met higher officials, zone officials issued notice to encroachers seeking documents. As per notice, NMC was to initiate action after three days. Zone officials served notice on June 20. Still, no action has been taken and again our complaint will be dumped in dustbin,” said the residents.
The citizens alleged there is a foul smell due to the unhygienic conditions caused by shopkeepers.
“Also, meat sellers slaughter goats at the site itself, though it is not allowed. This is right on Inner Ring Road, which many NMC officials pass by daily, but no one takes any action. First, NMC should clear encroachments on its own land, which will automatically send warning bells to encroachers on public places,” they said.
NMC officials said they will issue another notice to shopkeepers seeking documents. “We have issued a notice to shopkeepers after receiving complaint,” they said.
On Tuesday, NMC zones seized stalls of some hawkers on roads with few encroachments. In Laxmi Nagar Zone, the drive was conducted on West High Court Road between Orange City Hospital Square and Aath Rasta Chowk. The team seized two stalls.
Entire stretch of road from Orange City Hospital to Sahakar Nagar Nullah is choked with encroachments. Similar is the situation between Aath Rasta Chowk and Laxmi Nagar Square. But drive was conducted on the stretch between these two stretches. Similar is the situation with many roads in this zone.