NAGPUR: Laxmi Nagar zone officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) are protecting two influential contractors and delaying action against them for encroaching on the proposed London Street land despite strict directives given 20 days ago. Even the estate department officials do not seem to be interested in razing the encroachments.

The two big contractors, RM Goplani and Dilip Rathi, have encroached on long stretches of land on proposed London Street project worth around Rs 700 crore. The contractors have got rent-free use of the land for the last four years. Officials from Laxmi Nagar Zone and estate department were aware of the encroachments but failed to take any action against the contractors.

The officials didn't even report the encroachment to NMC head office. The estate department had rejected an application by Rathi to utilize the land, a couple of years ago. However, the contractors have been utilizing the land for various works with the nexus of NMC officials.

Taking cognisance of TOI reports on encroachments by the two contractors near Indraprastha Nagar between Lokseva Nagar and Khamla, additional deputy municipal commissioner Ravindra Kumbhare had directed officials to raze the encroachments and recover penalty.

However, junior engineer from Laxmi Nagar Zone Vivek Telrandhe only inspected the encroachments and sent a report to the estate department. Slamming the delay, Kumbhare signed the note and directed immediate action. However, the contractors continue to occupy the land. Goplani has even increased the materials, including sand and metal, lying on the land.

Estate officer DD Jambhulkar said officials of Laxmi Nagar zone have been directed to raze the encroachments. "I will issue reminders to the officials," he said. Sources told TOI officials of estate department, which has jurisdiction over London Street land, have not even visited the site yet.

Telrandhe said the directives reached his office a couple of days ago, adding, "We will raze the encroachment in few days." Telrandhe was mum when asked about delay in initiating action.

Deputy engineer from Laxmi Nagar Zone VV Kahalkar was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.

Besides the encroachments by contractors on the London Street, shanties too are cropping up on the land. Scrap dealers too have started to use the land in a few stretches. The weekly vegetable markets too are increasing on the land.