Is Nagpur losing basic structure in hectic infra devpt?

 

 

 

NAGPUR, which has a modern history of more than 300 years, is a fast-growing city now with hectic infrastructure development. However, in the process, is it losing its basic structure, basic character? It may be undergoing growth, but is it developing? For, growth may denote increase or expansion, but development covers physical as well as spiritual attributes. These were some questions that came up for discussion during a panel discussion organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) Maharashtra Regional Chapter, Nagpur, recently. Ajay Gulhane, Chief Executive Officer of Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited; Paramjit Singh Ahuja, eminent Practising Architect, PSA Design Studio; Prof Dr Rajashree Kotharkar from Department of Architecture and Planning,VNIT; and Dr Akshay Patil, Head of the Department of Architecture and Planning, VNIT; and this scribe were the panelists who shared their understanding of issues concerning Nagpur, some forgotten and new pieces of information, and also mooted some ideas that had potential to offer some solutions. Of course, the answers to abovementioned questions are to be found out collectively by all the stakeholders of the city including political leaders, administrators, citizens, scientists, urban planners, economists, enforcement agencies, architects, media and activists. For that to happen, everyone must be well-informed, rational, and have willingness to expand the scope of understanding of issues of Nagpur. And, the issues in this context should cover a wide range -- from heritage structures to water bodies to green spaces to road condition to traffic discipline to wastewater management to energy management to technological infrastructure like CCTV cameras and multi-level parking plazas. Reflecting back upon the panel discussion, which this scribe was a participant of, one remembers the straightforward assessment of Dr D S Meshram, President of ITPI and former Chief Planner in Town and Country Planning Organisation.

 

 

 

After recalling the good old days of Nagpur, Dr Meshram lamented that the city had lagged in comparison to other cities like Pune etc when it came to real development and implementation of town planning schemes. One got the sense that he was referring to the fact that not much attention was paid to planning aspect while new projects were brought to Nagpur over the years. Of course, given the prevailing situation, one has a reason to agree with Dr Meshram. A lot of money is being pumped in on concrete infrastructure projects in the city, new roads are being created. However, these are creating newer sets of problems. Wherever new roads are created, for instance from Kriplani Chowk to Ajni railway station, there is marked increase in traffic jams at junctions in peak hours.

 

CCTV cameras have been installed but it does not require an expert to notice that traffic violations have increased. In fact, wrong side driving has assumed pandemic proportions in various parts of the city.There may be data regarding ‘detection’ of crime with the help of CCTV cameras installed in city, but no objective assessment is available whether these camera feeds are monitored effectively leading to ‘prevention’ of crime or timely intervention to reduce damage. In one area when road is tarred afresh by civic body, another agency digs it up to lay cables or pipeline in a matter of days.While construction is going on everywhere, little attention is being paid to maintaining footpaths in good condition. At many places where cement roads are constructed, either lack ramps or the ramps are not smooth. Lids of manholes are missing, and surrounded by barricades in the name of ‘public safety’. In posh area like Ramdaspeth, cement road is constructed but there is a wheel-size gap between road median and road. Interestingly, the gap is closed intermittently with cement, indicating the halfhearted monitoring of even road construction. So, while emphasis is laid on massive investment in physical infrastructure, adequate attention is not being paid to legacy of inherent values that have made Nagpur the city it is today. Investment is there but integrated management of developmental projects is missing.

 

Various agencies are operating in isolation. So, if one agency is working to curb pollution, another agency is promoting use of public transport, there is one more agency that is allowing the number of vehicles to go up every passing day. Sometimes, experts suspect that the expression ‘resilient cities’ is being brought in use especially when there is waterlogging after rains to hide the failure of authorities concerned or shortsighted planning in managing urban drainage systems. Often, the Urban Heat Island effect is not recognised. People just feel that some places in the city are cooler or hotter than others. What contributes to this effect? The researchers are aware, but the common people are not. As a result, when it comes to informed participation in consultation process, common people are not empowered enough to submit solid suggestions.This leads to aspirations, which are not necessarily driven by public demand but by political decision-making. (To be continued)