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.