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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Monsoon Shield: NMC distributes safety kits to sanitation workers
Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) launched a city-wide drive to equip its sanitation workers — known as 'Swachhta Doots' — with essential safety gear ahead of monsoon. Often working in hazardous and unsanitary conditions, these frontline workers are now receiving protective kits aimed at safeguarding their health during the rainy season. Acting on the directives of municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, and under the guidance of additional commissioner Vasumana Pant, the initiative is being implemented across all 10 zones of the city. The drive is being supervised by deputy commissioner Rajesh Bhagat and chief sanitation officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle, with special funds allocated for the effort. The kits include masks, rubber and cloth hand gloves, high-visibility jackets, and gumboots — each tailored to tackle monsoon-specific challenges like waterlogging, slippery surfaces, and increased exposure to disease-causing pathogens. Distribution is being carried out in a phased, zone-wise manner, covering not only the core zones but also high-risk areas like the Bhandewadi dumping yard, nallah cleaning units, shelter homes, and the municipal slaughterhouse. Laxmi Nagar, Hanuman Nagar, Dhantoli, Sataranjipura, Ashi Nagar, and Mangalwari each received 1,280 masks, while zones like Dharampeth, Gandhibagh, and Lakadganj were given 640 each. Additional supplies were sent to Nehru Nagar, NMC headquarters, and field sanitation workers. Thousands of gloves were also distributed, with Nehru Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, and Sataranjipura receiving over 2,000 pairs each. Safety jackets were dispatched in batches ranging from 100 to 400 per zone, and gumboots were prioritised for areas prone to flooding and waste exposure. Sanitation workers, often invisible yet indispensable to the city's hygiene system, face increased health hazards during the monsoon. NMC's gesture is being seen as both a practical intervention and a symbolic recognition of their vital role. One worker remarked, "We are used to working without expecting much. But receiving these items before the rains gives us the feeling that someone is thinking about our safety too. It matters." By prioritising the well-being of its sanitation force, the NMC not only ensured preparedness for monsoon-related challenges but also underlined the value of those who work tirelessly to keep Nagpur clean. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !


Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
NMC to reduce plastic use through World Environment Day initiatives
Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has announced a series of initiatives aimed at reducing plastic usage and promoting environmental awareness. On World Environment Day , the civic body will organise an awareness rally based on the theme "Ending Plastic Pollution Globally." The rally will begin at Santra Market and proceed through Cotton Market Square, Lohapul, Sitabuldi Main Road, Variety Square, and conclude at Munje Square. The municipal administration has urged citizens to participate enthusiastically in this initiative. The NMC will also undertake a citywide tree plantation drive under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0'. According to officials, various departments of the municipal corporation will carry out tree planting in all ten zones of the city. Key areas include Gorewada, municipal gardens, schools, and open grounds. Plantation sites include Navnirman Nagar Ground, Marar Toli Ground, Gokulpeth Market, Mauli Nagar Nala, Manewada Ghat, Geeta Nagar Ground, Mokshadham Ghat, Narendra Nagar Hajari Stand, Virangula Kendra in Darshan Colony, Sakkardara Flyover, Tajbagh Urdu High School, CP & Berar College Square, Naik Talav area, Babulban Fire Station, Priyadarshini Garoba Ground, NIT Ground Babulban, Kapil Nagar Municipal School, Borgaon Naka, and Jaripatka Ring Road. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo Additionally, environmental awareness drives will be held at busy intersections across the city. Volunteers will use placards to engage with commuters and highlight the importance of environmental conservation, urging citizens to contribute to a greener Nagpur. These initiatives are being implemented under the guidance of municipal commissioner Abhijit Chaudhary and additional commissioners Vasumana Pant, Vaishnavi B., and Ajay Charathankar.


Time of India
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
NMC Chalks Out Plan To Deal With Monsoon Fury
1 2 Nagpur: Aimed at responding swiftly and effectively to all emergencies arising during the upcoming rainy season, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), under the leadership of additional commissioner Vasumana Pant, has chalked out its monsoon disaster management plan. As part of the plan, Manoj Talewar, in-charge chief engineer, has been appointed as the planning head, while chief fire officer BS Chandankhede will serve as the operations head. Six key departments — including electricity, garden, public health engineering, solid waste, workshop, and encroachment removal — are included in the preparedness initiative. Core objective of the plan is to ensure prompt and effective action in the event of flooding, collapse of buildings, road blockages caused by fallen trees, and waterlogging. Multiple teams have been formed, comprising officers from NMC headquarters, executive engineers, zonal engineers, and other key personnel. All officials have been directed to remain on alert from June 1 to September 30. On September 23, 2023, a major flood had wreaked havoc in the city, leaving many areas along the Nag River and homes flooded following heavy rains. The incident sparked widespread criticism of the NMC. Hundreds of homes and properties, including vehicles, were damaged in the floods, causing loss of crores of rupees to the citizens. During last year's monsoon also, multiple homes in South and South-West Nagpur experienced flooding due to lack of proper rainwater drainage systems. These areas witnessed flooding three to four times during the season, raising concerns among the citizens. Apart from this, several other areas also reported flooding. With the rainy season about to begin this year, residents in these areas are once again living in fear of floods. They hope things will be different this year. Box: 24-Hour Control Room Activated A round-the-clock control room has been made operational at NMC headquarters. Citizens can register complaints on numbers 2567029, 2567777, and on emergency helpline 108 Two senior officials from the headquarters and zonal executive engineers have been assigned mandatory 10-day rotation duty as control room supervisors. In addition, 12 assistant engineers have also been deployed. NMC administration has emphasised readiness and coordination across departments to ensure citizen safety during the monsoon months. Box Four Response Teams & Designated Responsibilities Team 1: Fire and public works departments will act in case of urban flooding Team 2: Garden department will handle cases of fallen trees Team 3: Electricity department will address incidents involving broken/ collapsed poles and snapped wires Team 4: Solid waste, encroachment, hot-mix plant, and workshop departments will respond to building collapses Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !


Time of India
14-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
NMC seeks proposals for disposal of seized PoP idols
Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is still grappling with the problem if disposing of 1,375 Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols seized during last year's Ganeshotsav. In an attempt to find a sustainable and scientific solution, a recent meeting was chaired by additional municipal commissioner Vasumana Pant with representatives from multiple the meeting, the Institute of Science expressed interest in managing the disposal process through chemical treatment. The institute proposed converting the PoP from the idols into powder and then using that to manufacture chalks and slates. The civic body asked the institute to submit a detailed project proposal outlining the year, before Ganeshotsav, NMC's nuisance detection squad confiscated 1,375 PoP idols from sculptors across all 10 zones of the city. Though the civic body approached the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for guidance on proper disposal, no concrete action plan was provided, leaving the matter light of the impasse, NMC has now begun consulting environmental and scientific organisations. The meeting saw participation from deputy municipal commissioner Rajesh Bhagat, chief sanitation officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle, director of Govt Institute of Science Dr Anjali Rahatgaonkar, Dr Anagha Patil, Neeri senior scientist Krishna Khairnar, MPCB sub-regional officer Dhanashree Patil, Green Vigil Foundation's Surabhi Jaiswal, Mehul Kosurkar, and Rahatgaonkar and Dr Patil expressed willingness to use Neeri's technology to help manage the idol waste. They proposed a dual-purpose initiative — first converting the PoP into reusable powder using chemical processes, and then repurposing the material into educational tools like chalk and slates. While Neeri has not permitted use of the technology on a large scale yet, it has agreed to support the institute with technical method is seen as a meaningful approach — ensuring environmentally responsible idol disposal while providing students with hands-on learning opportunities. NMC, however, clarified that no final decision has been taken. Deputy commissioner Rajesh Bhagat said that proposals are being sought from Neeri and other institutions, and the final course of action will be decided once detailed plans are submitted and reviewed.


Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Survey finds surge in sensory, neurological issues among 50+
Nagpur: Early findings from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation 's (NMC) door-to-door disability survey reveal a troubling trend — citizens aged 50 and above are increasingly vulnerable to sensory loss and neurological disorders such as blindness, hearing impairment, Parkinson's disease, and mental illness. Despite the seriousness of the exercise, the citywide survey crawled to just 12.83% completion, raising concerns over citizen engagement. The ongoing survey — mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act , 2016, and directed by Maharashtra govt — aims to build a database of persons with disabilities (PwDs) across all 10 NMC zones. The survey is being conducted under the leadership of commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, with guidance from additional commissioners Vasumana Pant and Vaishnavi B, deputy commissioner Ranjana Lade, and medical health officer Dr Deepak Selokar. Trained ASHA workers, in collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Sangh, are collecting household-level data on 21 recognised disabilities. The findings will be critical in shaping a five-year civic action plan to deliver targeted healthcare, welfare schemes, and accessibility measures for Nagpur's disabled population. NMC has appealed citizens to cooperate fully by disclosing any disability — whether by birth, due to accidents, hereditary issues, illness, or age-related decline. "This is about inclusivity and ensuring no citizen is left behind," said an official. Without widespread cooperation, officials warn, thousands may remain invisible to the system — and excluded from crucial govt aid. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Aged 50-85 With No Life Insurance Could Get This Reassured Get Quote Undo Nagpur: Early findings from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) door-to-door disability survey reveal a troubling trend — citizens aged 50 and above are increasingly vulnerable to sensory loss and neurological disorders such as blindness, hearing impairment, Parkinson's disease, and mental illness. Despite the seriousness of the exercise, the citywide survey crawled to just 12.83% completion, raising concerns over citizen engagement. The ongoing survey — mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and directed by Maharashtra govt — aims to build a database of persons with disabilities (PwDs) across all 10 NMC zones. The survey is being conducted under the leadership of commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, with guidance from additional commissioners Vasumana Pant and Vaishnavi B, deputy commissioner Ranjana Lade, and medical health officer Dr Deepak Selokar. Trained ASHA workers, in collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Sangh, are collecting household-level data on 21 recognised disabilities. The findings will be critical in shaping a five-year civic action plan to deliver targeted healthcare, welfare schemes, and accessibility measures for Nagpur's disabled population. NMC has appealed citizens to cooperate fully by disclosing any disability — whether by birth, due to accidents, hereditary issues, illness, or age-related decline. "This is about inclusivity and ensuring no citizen is left behind," said an official. Without widespread cooperation, officials warn, thousands may remain invisible to the system — and excluded from crucial govt aid.