Nagpur: Turning their frustration into direct appeals, residents, farmers and youth from different parts of Vidarbha on Sunday approached Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during the Janata Darbar held at his Khamla office, seeking intervention to resolve long-pending civic and infrastructure issues.
The public hearing witnessed a steady flow of petitioners, with several groups highlighting problems ranging from property ownership disputes and rehabilitation delays to infrastructure gaps and railway connectivity.
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Residents seek ownership rights
Nearly 200 residents of Kundanlal Gupta Nagar told Gadkari that despite living in the locality for almost five decades, they are still not recognised as legal owners in government records.
“Our only demand is rightful ownership of the houses we have been living in for 50 years,” said resident Mangesh Satpurkar, adding that the absence of official recognition has created hurdles in accessing basic civic services and property documentation.
Several other citizens also complained about delays in obtaining ownership rights over plots and slum dwellings, even after being allotted land by authorities.
Rehabilitation concerns in Khapri
A delegation from Khapri informed Gadkari that only half of their settlement has been rehabilitated, leaving the remaining residents vulnerable to possible eviction and uncertainty about their future.
Connectivity woes raised
Infrastructure gaps also dominated the grievances. Wardha resident Aadarsh Sharma pointed out that residents of his society must travel several kilometres just to reach a main road that lies barely 200 metres away.
“We are forced to take a long detour and even pay toll charges unnecessarily,” Sharma said, urging authorities to improve road connectivity.
Railway halt demand from Bhandara
From neighbouring Bhandara, resident Ramesh Supare requested restoration of superfast train halts at Bhandara railway station, which he claimed had been discontinued nearly two decades ago.
“Express trains have not been stopping here for almost 20 years, causing major inconvenience to commuters,” Supare said.
Farmers seek infrastructure support
Farmers from Hingna urged the minister to facilitate construction of a bridge over a local drain, which would ensure year-round access to their agricultural fields.
Another delegation led by Chandrashekhar Bhende, representing nearly 250 sugarcane farmers, sought financial assistance to deepen a stream that serves as a crucial irrigation source. According to the farmers, the stream overflows during the monsoon but dries up in summer, affecting crop cycles.
Appeals for welfare schemes
Senior citizens also approached Gadkari seeking help in accessing government welfare schemes such as the Shravan Bal Yojana and Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, citing delays in approvals and benefits.
Meanwhile, persons with disabilities submitted petitions seeking prosthetic limbs and support services, prompting Gadkari to direct officials to provide immediate assistance.
Young innovators showcase ideas
Alongside public grievances, the minister also interacted with young innovators who presented ideas related to Electric Vehicles (EVs), battery technology, and highway infrastructure.
Impressed by their initiatives, Gadkari instructed officials to study the proposals and explore their feasibility.
Officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the District Collectorate and the Nagpur Improvement Trust were present during the Janata Darbar to take note of the complaints and initiate follow-up action.
