Nagpur: The much-hyped Nag River Rejuvenation Project, hailed as a lifeline for Nagpur’s sustainable development, has once again turned into a symbol of bureaucratic apathy and political tokenism. Despite the Central Government sanctioning Rs 795 crore and approving the project way back in 2022, not a single stretch of work has actually begun.
Adding to the irony, the Nag River has now been excluded from the list of polluted rivers, even though the filthy, sewage-choked stream continues to flow through the heart of the city. The glaring question being raised by citizens and environmentalists alike: “Where did the funds go?”
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04Oct 2025
When the project was first cleared by the Centre in 2022, its completion deadline was set at eight years. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), however, ambitiously resolved to finish it in just five years. Three years later, the situation remains unchanged, no dredging, no sewage diversion, and no rejuvenation work in sight.
Empty promises, no progress
Local citizens allege that the project resurfaces only during elections, with flashy announcements and grand promises, but remains confined to paper once the votes are cast. “Every year they announce something new, but the Nag River still stinks. Sewage keeps flowing directly into it, and encroachments have narrowed the riverbed. During monsoon, garbage is cleared temporarily, but the foul stench never leaves,” said a resident of East Nagpur.
The project has seen a flurry of budgetary provisions over the years:
• Rs 2,500 crore allocated in the 2024–25 Central Budget
• Rs 295.64 crore provisioned again in the 2025–26 Budget
• Rs 1,927 crore project cost approved by the Central Government in 2022
Yet, officials continue to cite “technical and administrative hurdles” as reasons for the prolonged delay.
Activists have slammed the authorities for criminal negligence, pointing out that untreated sewage continues to pollute the Nag River daily, posing a grave health and environmental risk. “If this is what ‘rejuvenation’ looks like, it’s nothing but a cruel joke on the people of Nagpur,” remarked one environmentalist.
Despite abundant funds and repeated assurances, the Nag River remains a flowing drain, while the city’s ambitious eco-restoration dream drowns in red tape and hollow promises.
