Nagpur: After years of turning a blind eye to wedding pandals that virtually hijacked public roads, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has finally cracked the whip. In a sweeping three-month crackdown, the civic body has registered 764 cases against illegal pandals and recovered Rs 15.6 lakh in fines, sending out a loud message that roads are not private banquet halls.
The action, spearheaded by the NMC’s Nuisance Detection Squad (NDS), targeted temporary wedding structures erected without permission, many of which shamelessly choked arterial roads, blocked footpaths, and crippled emergency access. The drive intensified during the peak wedding season, when pandals mushroomed overnight across residential colonies and even main thoroughfares, leaving commuters stranded in traffic snarls.
Zones under siege
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Feb 25th, 2026 - Time 11.45Hrs
Zone-wise data exposes the scale of the mess. Nehru Nagar topped the violations list with 222 cases, generating Rs 4.4 lakh in fines. Hanuman Nagar followed with 153 cases (Rs 3.06 lakh), while Laxmi Nagar recorded 131 violations (Rs 2.9 lakh). Dhantoli saw 97 cases (Rs 1.9 lakh), Ashi Nagar 62 (Rs 1.24 lakh), Satranjipura 39 (Rs 78,000), Mangalwari 31 (Rs 62,000), and Lakadganj 19 (Rs 38,000). Even Dharampeth and Gandhibagh were not spared, with five cases each.
For years, event organisers operated under the assumption that short-term celebrations would escape scrutiny. But relentless complaints from residents about blocked roads, gridlocked traffic, and compromised ambulance and fire brigade access forced the administration to act.
Enforcement peaks in February
The crackdown gathered momentum month after month. November saw 80 cases and Rs 1.66 lakh in fines. December escalated to 177 cases (Rs 3.8 lakh), while January recorded 155 violations (Rs 3.1 lakh). February marked the most aggressive phase, with a staggering 352 cases and Rs 7.04 lakh recovered, nearly half the total fines in just one month.
Officials admitted that stronger legal backing has bolstered enforcement. Illegal wedding pandals are now classified as a separate offence under NDS jurisdiction. A first-time violation that obstructs roads attracts a fine of Rs 2,000, while repeat offenders face harsher penalties and immediate demolition of the structure.
Zero tolerance ahead
With the wedding season far from over, the civic body has made it clear that the drive will continue across all zones. The message is unambiguous: celebrations cannot come at the cost of public safety and civic order.
After years of chaos disguised as festivity, the NMC’s belated but forceful action signals a zero-tolerance approach, reclaiming city roads from illegal occupation and reminding citizens that public spaces are not up for private takeover.
