NAGPUR: The people of Nagpur have great expectations from new municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane, more so because he hails from the city.

In general, Nagpurians believe that every facet of the city’s
infrastructure needs some serious thought and deliberation. They expect
the civic chief to ensure good, motorable roads, remove encroachments
from footpaths and roads, expedite projects and solve long pending
issues pertaining to city bus service.

Wardhane is the second
municipal commissioner to hail the city. Before him, Nanak Ramteke, a
resident of Indora, was municipal commissioner for five months in early
2000, before T Chandrashekhar.

Traffic expert Vinay Kunte
said that being a local, Wardhane has firsthand experience of
corruption and arrogance of staff in the tax department of Dharampeth
Zone. “I think he should start his clean up act from there. Next, he can
ensure all traffic lights are working. Changing fused bulbs does not
cost a lot of money.”

He added that repairs of potholes should
be taken up after the monsoons end. Side by side, the drive against
unauthorized constructions should also be started. People littering and
spitting on the road should be taught a lesson in cleanliness with
strict action. Every service provided by NMC must have a time limit, and
no one should be allowed to sit on a file to demand bribes, Kunte said.

Endorsing Kunte, social activist and lawyer Tushar Mandlekar
said the city needs better roads. The emphasis should be on building
‘sustainable’ roads that do not wash away every monsoon. He also
expressed the need to improve the city bus service with appropriate
linkages for people’s convenience. “We should not be looking at
introducing another mode of mass transport, as it makes more sense to
improve and integrate the existing ones,” he said.

Dinesh Naidu, secretary, Parivartan
– The Citizens’ Forum, said the new commissioner has two distinct
advantages. First, he is from Nagpur and will not consider it a
punishment posting; second, with his experience in the urban development
department he understands the needs of a growing city and can take
effective and appropriate measures.

“My expectation from him is
that he should not be fazed by the political circus in Nagpur and focus
on 360 degree development, like Dr T Chandrashekhar,” said Naidu.

Environmental activist Shrikant Deshpande said that apart from city’s
infrastructure, Wardhane should take efforts to strike a balance between
environment protection and urban development while making plans for the
city.

A section of NMC teachers said on condition of anonymity
that the civic chief should also work to improve quality of education in
NMC schools, which is still a worrisome factor. Thousands of children
from poor backgrounds study in these schools, so holistic efforts are
required to ensure education here is at par with private schools, they
said.

“I would also suggest that NMC focus more on these schools
to inculcate values among children for a strong moral foundation,” said
a woman teacher.

Former corporator Manoj Sangole
said equitable distribution of water and removal of encroachments must
be the priorities for the new civic chief. “He should also have the
conviction to rid the civic body of corruption,” he said.

NMC union leader and activist Jammu Anand
is enthusiastic about the welfare of civic employees and casual labours
under Wardhane. He pointed out that Wardhane once represented the
teachers’ union in Sindhu Mahavidyalay, and so will take interest in
employees welfare schemes.

RTI activist and executive member of Grahak Panchayat
(Nagpur) Harish Naidu has suggested that the city’s finances should be
managed properly; there is a need to create assets and reduce
liabilities. It is important that they look at the future and work
backwards. “Wardhane needs to envisage what the requirements of the city
would be 20 years from now and then look at the present to make
adequate provisions for the future,” Naidu said.