Nagpur: An esteemed resident of East Nagpur who has spent most of his life in the busy but congested lanes and by-lanes of Mahal locality is soon having a new ‘lifestyle’. The Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who is synonymous with development of Nagpur city, is soon going to turn ‘Western.’ The BJP stalwart is shifting to modern, plush West Nagpur as his age-old ‘Gadkari Wada’ in ancient Mahal area is being renovated and getting a needful facelift, sources said.
The East side of Nagpur Railway Station is popularly called ‘Shahar’ and the West part is ‘Modern City.’ Gadkari launched his political struggle from his college days. The ‘Wada’ used to be hub of activities and as the progress was achieved slowly and steadily, Gadkari became an MLC, Minister in State Cabinet, MP from Nagpur and now a Minister in Modi Cabinet with important portfolios at his command. As the MLC or State Minister or Union Minister, Gadkari made development his avowed mission and Nagpur developed by leaps and bounds. He commanded all the activities from ramparts of his ‘Wada’ that also saw changes for better. But now, the old ‘Wada’ is getting a big, qualitative facelift to ‘accommodate the present day needs,’ sources said. But for the high-profile Gadkari, it could be an inconvenience staying in the ‘Wada’ while it is being renovated. As an alternative abode, the stalwart along with family and an entire ‘brigade’ is marching towards Modern Nagpur in the West.
A sprawling bungalow named ‘Bhakti’ would be the new address of the Union Minister in West Nagpur, albeit as a temporary alternative. ‘Bhakti’ is situated on the left side of Ravi Nagar Square-Ramnagar Square Road. The bungalow belongs to the Gadkari family. The only difference between the ‘Wada’ and ‘Bhakti’ is that the former witnesses hustle-bustle, cacophony of busy, old Mahal locality of East Nagpur and the latter is in peaceful, plush area in West. One kilometre from ‘Bhakti’ lies the residence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Dharampeth. The West Nagpur is proud host of almost all VVIPs. One more feather would be added to its cap when the bigwig from East turns Western.
Gadkari is likely to shift to his new residence around Diwali once the finishing touches to ‘Bhakti’ are over. The work of internal decoration and gardening is going on at ‘Bhakti’.
