Nagpur: Undertaking a joint operation, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and city police will launch a crackdown on encroachments, with repeat offenders facing cognisable offences and cases under the Damage to Public Property Act, officials said on Sunday.As part of the drive, the NMC’s 10 zones will undertake anti-encroachment operations covering 10km every day, translating into a targeted 100km of action daily. The decision was taken at a joint meeting of NMC and police officials chaired by commissioner of police Vishwas Nangre Patil at the District Planning Bhavan on Sunday.The campaign will target unauthorised markets, footpath encroachments, illegal vendors, encroaching shopkeepers and businesses operating from modified vehicles. Authorities said strict legal action would be taken against those repeatedly violating rules.Nangre Patil directed officials to prepare an effective blueprint for parking arrangements across the city. He stressed the need to clear all footpaths to ensure safe passage for women, children, senior citizens and pedestrians.“Footpaths should be completely freed from encroachments so that ordinary citizens do not face inconvenience while walking,” the CP said, according to officials present at the meeting.Nangre Patil also directed authorities to earmark designated spaces for e-rickshaws and autorickshaws and initiate action against businesses operating with gas cylinders placed on roads.Municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar briefed the meeting on the civic body’s ongoing ‘Mission 100 Days’, aimed at clearing footpaths and creating safe, unobstructed pedestrian routes. He said the NMC and police would work in close coordination to restore urban discipline and improve citizens’ quality of life.“In the initial phase, the focus will be on major junctions, illegal markets, footpaths and prominent encroachments on roads,” Itankar said.The CP instructed civic and police officials to take immediate action against illegal paan stalls and encroachments within 100m of schools and colleges.Officials were directed to follow due process before launching the anti-encroachment operations. Unauthorised vendors should first be served notices as per rules and informed about the proposed action through meetings. Civic officials must also coordinate with the concerned local police stations before undertaking any drive.The campaign is expected to prioritise major traffic and pedestrian trouble spots, with the administration seeking to combine enforcement with better parking and traffic management.The meeting was attended by joint CP Navinchandra Reddy, Addl CPs Rajendra Dabhade and Vasant Pardeshi, NMC additional commissioners Ankit and Milind Meshram, deputy commissioner Mangesh Khawale, all assistant commissioners and senior police officials.
