Nagpur: After years of complaints and inaction, the illegal commercial shops encroaching on the playground of Bishop Cotton School, near VCA Stadium, were finally demolished on Friday, March 7. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) carried out the demolition, clearing the space for the school’s use.

The school administration and the Nagpur Diocesan Trust Association had been raising concerns about the illegal encroachments since 2017. Despite multiple complaints, NMC failed to take action, allowing the shops to continue operating within the playground.

Seeking a resolution, representatives from the Trust and the school approached Vikas Thakre, MLA from West Nagpur and President of the Nagpur City (District) Congress Committee. Responding to their appeal, Thakre escalated the matter to the Municipal Commissioner.

Following this intervention, NMC’s Dharampeth Zone took action and removed the illegal structures, restoring the playground to its rightful purpose. The demolition marks a victory for the school, which had been fighting for the space to be used as intended for students.