Nagpur: “Nagpur’s contribution will be significant in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047. With the cooperation of the administration, public representatives, and citizens, we must work together to create a more prosperous, safe, and developed Nagpur,” said Maharashtra Revenue and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday.
He was addressing the main Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony held at the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Nagpur, where he unfurled the tricolour. The event also saw the felicitation of top-performing departments and officers. Freedom fighters, senior citizens, and several dignitaries attended the programme.
Among those present were MP Shyamkumar Barve, Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari, Additional Commissioner Madhavi Chavre-Khode, Police Commissioner Dr. Ravindra Singal, Special IG Sandeep Patil, Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Chaudhary, NMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Meena, Maha Metro MD Shravan Hardikar, District Collector Dr. Vipin Itankar, ZP CEO Vinayak Mahamuni, Additional CP Naveenchandra Reddy, SP Harsh Poddar, and other eminent personalities.
From Partition Struggles to Developmental Milestones
Recalling the sacrifices of ancestors during Partition, Bawankule said they carried the pain of displacement yet looked to the future with hope and expectations from the government. Over the decades, India has witnessed immense transformation, and in the past ten years, developmental goals have been achieved at a faster pace, earning global recognition in various sectors.
The Maharashtra government, he noted, aims to ensure that every citizen — from rural villages to metropolitan cities — benefits from good governance and developmental schemes.
Strengthening Law & Order
Bawankule praised the police force, describing it as one of the most crucial arms of the state. Under Police Commissioner Dr. Ravindra Singal, initiatives like Garud Drishti have enabled swift action against objectionable and hate-filled social media posts. Operations like Thunder, Shakti, and U-Turn have strengthened Nagpur’s security apparatus.
He credited Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for creating a new police zone in Nagpur, which will enhance citizen safety and provide manpower support to the force. Efforts are also underway to bring the entire city under CCTV surveillance. He lauded SP Dr. Harsh Poddar for implementing the district’s first AI-based CCTV system in Saoner — a model now being considered for city-wide adoption.
Rural & Urban Progress
The minister commended Divisional Commissioner Bidari, Collector Itankar, and ZP CEO Mahamuni for their efforts to accelerate rural development through outreach programmes and technology-based awareness drives. He also praised Nagpur Municipal Corporation for taking the lead in housing projects under the CM’s Homes for All mission, achieving the highest progress in the state.
Highlighting advances in healthcare, Bawankule said Nagpur became the first city in Maharashtra to perform successful robotic surgery, giving Government Medical College a new distinction. Skill development and social justice initiatives are also being actively pursued.
“A highly developed new Nagpur is on the horizon,” Bawankule said, adding that the proposal will soon receive cabinet approval. He also acknowledged the vital role of the media in driving development.
