Nagpur: The anti-encroachment drive for the widening of Old Bhandara Road gathered momentum on Wednesday, with authorities demolishing nearly 20 houses as part of the ongoing action. Acting under directives from the district administration and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the encroachment department carried out bulldozer operations for the second consecutive day, triggering tension in the locality.
Under the Sataranjipura Zone, unauthorized constructions along the stretch from Mayo Hospital Square to the Old Motor Stand and Sunil Hotel were removed. Officials stated that structures obstructing the proposed 18-metre and 30-metre-wide roads, as per the city’s development plan, were directly targeted during the operation.
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Feb 19th, 2026 - Time 11.45Hrs
Deputy Commissioner (Encroachment) Mangesh Khavale, Assistant Commissioner Harish Raut, and officials from the Town Planning Department were present during the drive.
Action in Multiple Zones
In the Dharampeth Zone, a day-long operation was conducted from Sitabuldi Main Road to Variety Square. Illegal shops and vehicles parked on footpaths were cleared to ensure smooth pedestrian movement.
Similarly, in the Laxminagar Zone, encroachments on both sides of the roads near IT Park, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology campus, South Ambazari Road, and the Khamla Mutton Market area were removed.
In the Gandhibagh Zone, action was taken from Mahal Chowk to Badkas Chowk, where unauthorized street vendors were cleared. The drive was conducted under the guidance of Superintendent Sanjay Kamble to ensure smooth traffic flow.
High Court Orders Status Quo on Some Properties
Meanwhile, some property owners on Old Bhandara Road had approached the High Court challenging the demolition notices. According to officials, the court directed the administration on Tuesday to maintain status quo on the properties that had filed petitions. Consequently, demolition was avoided on those specific properties, while the remaining 20 structures were demolished as per regulations.
With the road widening project progressing, authorities indicated that the anti-encroachment drive is likely to continue in the coming days. This signals further large-scale action against illegal constructions across Nagpur.
