No response to NMC redevelopment projects, Gadkari urges NIT to take over

Nagpur: In a blow to its asset monetisation plans, the
Nagpur Municipal Corporation
(NMC) failed to attract even a single bidder for the redevelopment of two prime properties — Sokhta Bhavan and
Cotton Market fire station
— despite repeated tendering efforts. Now, city MP and Union minister Nitin Gadkari has recommended that the
Nagpur Improvement Trust
(NIT) takes over the Cotton Market project to fast-track its revival.
In a bid to salvage the situation, NMC slashed the base price of Sokhta Bhavan project by 11% (from Rs144 crore to Rs128 crore), and is preparing to float fresh tenders to revive developer interest. Despite invitations issued on November 27, 2024, and again on January 10, 2025, the project — located on a sprawling 28,922sqm plot at Gandhibagh — received no response from developers. The plan envisions a G+14 multi-level commercial complex with a total built-up area of 3,48,617sqm. Consequently, NMC's high-level policy committee intervened and approved an 11% reduction in the base value to make the project more financially appealing. A fresh tender is now being readied by the project department.
The Sokhta Bhavan setback underlines the wider challenges NMC faces in its attempts to generate revenue through the redevelopment of old properties in high-value areas. Officials admitted developers found the project's earlier valuation unattractive, given the massive upfront investment, construction complexities, and the ongoing real estate sector slowdown. The repeated failures raised serious concerns about the civic body's dependency on private players to infuse new life into ageing city properties.
NMC faced a similar situation in its Cotton Market fire station (Ganeshpeth) redevelopment project — pitched as the city's first integrated fire station-commercial complex. The Rs62 crore plan, spread over 2,589.7sqm, proposes a ground-floor fire station, administrative offices on the first floor, and a commercial complex across six upper floors to rehabilitate 30 displaced shopkeepers. Yet, here too, no bids were received.
On April 19, Gadkari stepped in, suggesting the NMC hand over such critical redevelopment projects to NIT, hinting at the civic body's struggle to deliver. Both projects were structured under the design, build, finance, operate, and sale (DBFOS) model, with a commercial rate of Rs14,051 per sqm.
While the Sokhta Bhavan proposal included two basement levels for parking to ease congestion in Gandhibagh, concerns surfaced about the reduced space for fire tenders — from four bays to just three — leading to a review by the NMC fire department.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New Indian Express

2 hours ago

• New Indian Express

Predatory pricing: Bus operators in Kerala move CCI

KOCHI: A relentless price war has erupted on long-distance routes, including the heavy-demand Kochi-Bengaluru section, as a wave of new entrants, mainly international and national brands, rolled in of late, challenging established players with slashed fares and aggressive promotion. Now, the complaints of 'unfair and predatory pricing' have reached the doorsteps of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), after the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) took up the issue with Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. 'It has come to our attention that new entrants in the market, including international brands such as FlixBus, have begun operations in India under the guise of start-ups, and are adopting predatory pricing practices. These companies, backed by substantial financial reserves, are offering fares as low as Rs 99 and Rs 199 for long-distance routes exceeding 500 kms,' the BOCI said in the complaint. Pointing out that the CCI guidelines prevent an industry from quoting prices below a viable operational threshold, the BOCI further charged that 'certain foreign companies' are deliberately adopting such strategies that are detrimental to the domestic bus industry. 'International brands like FlixBus and redBus resort to this practice in the Kochi-Bengaluru sector. They are charging fares half of that of what the STC (State Transport Corporation) charges. They offer tickets for as low as Rs 899 when the STC charges around Rs 1,600.

News18

6 hours ago

• News18

FASTag Annual Pass: How to Activate It On Your Existing Account; Step-By-Step Guide

Last Updated: MoRTH is launching a FASTag Annual Pass for private vehicles, effective August 15, 2025. The pass will be valid for one year or 200 trips FasTag Annual Pass Activation: The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) is launching a FASTag Annual Pass for private vehicles, effective August 15, 2025. Priced at Rs 3,000, the pass will be valid for one year or 200 trips, whichever comes earlier. This initiative aims to make highway travel more affordable and convenient, particularly for regular commuters. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Union Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed that a dedicated link for activation and renewal of the pass will soon be available on the RajmargYatra App as well as the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH. What is the FASTag Annual Pass? The FASTag Annual Pass allows free passage of private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans at designated National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) toll plazas. Once activated, the pass eliminates per-trip user fees for up to 200 trips or one year, whichever is completed first. How to Activate the Annual Pass in Your Existing FASTag Account If your FASTag is already active and linked to a valid (non-blacklisted) registration number and properly affixed to the vehicle's windshield, you can activate the annual pass using that same FASTag. No new tag is required, provided eligibility conditions are met. Where Can I Purchase the FASTag Annual Pass? The Annual Pass will be available exclusively through the RajmargYatra mobile app and the official NHAI website. Users should avoid any third-party sources to ensure authenticity and eligibility. For How Long is the FASTag Annual Pass Valid? The pass remains valid for one year from the date of activation or for 200 completed trips, whichever comes first. After expiry, it automatically reverts to a regular FASTag, and users can reactivate the annual pass to avail the benefits again. What Counts as a Single Trip Under the FASTag Annual Pass? At point-based toll plazas, each crossing (one way) is counted as one trip, so a round trip is two trips. At closed tolling plazas, one full entry–exit pair is counted as one trip. Will I Receive SMS Notifications Related to My Annual Pass? Yes, activating the Annual Pass means you consent to RajmargYatra retrieving your registered mobile number from the issuing bank to send SMS alerts and other communications regarding the pass.

Time of India

14 hours ago

• Time of India

NMC Reappoints Silent ‘Swachh' Ambassadors, Overlooks Real Ground-Level Champions

Nagpur: In yet another instance of tokenism trumping accountability, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Friday reappointed 10 individuals as Swachh Bharat brand ambassadors — despite the fact that most of them were inactive throughout the past year. Shockingly, some didn't even attend their own reappointment ceremony. According to insiders and civic records, barring a civic activist and a homemaker — both of whom consistently supported NMC-led cleanliness campaigns — the rest of the ambassadors neither showed up for official initiatives nor launched any public awareness activities independently. Despite this, the civic body once again handed out the honorary titles, ignoring grassroots workers who have been relentlessly promoting hygiene, waste segregation, and sustainable practices in the city. A senior NMC official summed up the frustration: "We see housing society groups conducting composting workshops, young volunteers organising street cleaning drives, and NGOs educating slum clusters on segregation. But these names — mostly influencers, radio jockeys, bloggers, and fitness coaches — have done virtually nothing for the cause." Shockingly, at least three of the reappointed ambassadors did not even turn up for the installation event. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 6 sätt att gå i pension bekvämt med 3 000 000 kr Fisher Invest. Norden Undo Yet, their absence didn't deter additional municipal commissioner Vasumana Pant and chief sanitation officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle from handing out offer letters to eight others at a function. Defending the reappointments, Dr Mahalle claimed, "They often participate in civic body events," though NMC failed to provide any Swachh Bharat awareness programme which they either attended or organised awareness drives in their localities. The current list includes a mix of digital influencers with thousands of followers, a sportsperson with marathon credentials, a transgender representative, and individuals from entertainment and wellness backgrounds. But residents question the effectiveness of giving out ceremonial titles without any performance audit. "There's zero accountability. This is a publicity stunt that insults the work of hundreds of citizens who sweat it out for cleanliness without any recognition," said a civic group member from Dharampeth. With the city fairing poorly in Swachh Survekshan rankings since the last couple of years, critics argue that Nagpur's symbolic approach could hurt its performance in future rankings too, which increasingly rely on authentic citizen participation. Without a structured evaluation framework or criteria for impact, the brand ambassador initiative risks becoming irrelevant. "If NMC is serious about cleanliness, it must stop chasing popularity and start rewarding dedication," said a vigilant citizen. "Otherwise, these invisible ambassadors will only tarnish the very mission they're supposed to lead."