TOI Impact: NMC proposes beautification plan to curb littering at Pratap Nagar lane | Nagpur News

Nagpur: Acting on a TOI report highlighting persistent littering in a lane in Pratap Nagar, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has cleared the garbage and initiated plans to beautify the spot to prevent waste from accumulating again.The civic body has proposed landscaping the lane with ornamental plants, installing concrete bollards to restrict vehicle access, and putting up cautionary signboards discouraging littering.Speaking to TOI, zonal sanitary officer Rushikesh Ingle told TOI that beautification is an effective deterrent against littering. “A clean and aesthetically developed space is less likely to be misused for dumping waste. We have asked the zone’s Public Works Department to inspect the site and prepare a suitable beautification plan,” he said.According to NMC sources, the final design will be prepared after consultations with residents and the area’s corporator to ensure the project meets the neighbourhood’s needs.Corporator Nidhi Telgote has proposed converting the lane into a pedestrian-friendly urban streetscape. The proposal includes laying interlocking herringbone-pattern concrete pavers to create a durable and visually appealing walkway, flanked by landscaped beds with flowering shrubs and ornamental plants.“The boundary wall is proposed to be transformed with a mural carrying the message ‘Swachh Nagpur, Sundar Nagpur’, featuring artwork depicting trees, cyclists, pedestrians and the city’s skyline to promote environmental awareness and civic responsibility,” she said.The plan also includes installing decorative bollard lights to improve visibility and enhance the ambience, while concrete bollards at the entrance would prevent unauthorised vehicle movement and improve pedestrian safety. Existing mature trees would provide natural shade, making the lane more inviting for residents.To reinforce cleanliness, prominent “Do Not Litter” signboards are also proposed.Residents have welcomed the initiative but stressed that beautification alone may not be enough. They have urged NMC to install CCTV cameras at the location so that individuals caught dumping garbage can be identified and penalised, ensuring the lane remains clean in the long run.