Nanded Mayor's Official Residence Remains Elusive After 30 Years
The Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation (NWMC) is set to welcome its 15th mayor on Tuesday, yet a longstanding administrative issue has resurfaced prominently: the absence of an official bungalow for the mayor. This problem persists even as the municipal corporation marks its 30th anniversary, highlighting a significant gap in civic infrastructure that has never been addressed since the city's inception.
Historical Context and Early Challenges
The roots of this issue trace back to 1952 when the Nanded Municipal Council was established. At that time, the governing laws did not include any provision for an official residence for the council president. Consequently, all civic heads, from Shankarrao Chavan to Narendra Pal Barara, performed their duties while residing in their personal homes. In the early years, facilities were minimal, with no official vehicles or telephone connections provided at residences. Historical records even note that Shankarrao Chavan, despite holding the top civic post, traveled to the municipal office on a bicycle, underscoring the lack of basic amenities.
Formation of the Corporation and Temporary Solutions
In 1996, the municipal councils of Nanded and Waghala merged to form the municipal corporation. An elected body took charge the following year, with Sudhakar Pandhare becoming the first mayor. Around that period, an old bungalow located in the present women's hospital premises at Shyam Nagar was renovated and designated as the mayor's residence. While some early mayors utilized this bungalow, a senior official later occupied it for an extended period, and over time, it ceased to be recognized as the official mayor's bungalow.
Persistent Neglect Over Decades
Nearly 29 years have passed since the corporation was formed, during which six municipal elections have been held. The civic body has constructed several buildings and complexes, both independently and through Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects, generating substantial revenue from some of these initiatives. However, it has consistently failed to build official bungalows for key positions, including the mayor, municipal commissioner, and additional commissioner.
In contrast, many cities across Maharashtra, such as Mumbai, provide their mayors with official bungalows and support staff. This civic body, which was once headed by notable figures like the late Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan and MP Ashok Chavan, continues to lack such basic facilities. While the municipal commissioner has been allotted a bungalow in Sneha Nagar Colony through the public works department, no similar arrangement exists for the mayor, as pointed out by a newly elected BJP corporator.
Current Situation and Future Prospects
The new mayor, Kavita Santosh Mule, a teacher by profession, currently resides in a residential area at Taroda Budruk, which features a very narrow approach road. Ahead of her oath-taking ceremony on Tuesday, the mayor's chamber at the civic headquarters has been prepared, and a vehicle with a driver has been provided. Despite these measures, the issue of an official mayor's bungalow remains unresolved, according to the commissioner.
A senior civic official revealed, "A proposal was earlier sent to the health department to allot the government hospital bungalow opposite the civic building for the mayor in exchange for municipal land at Shyam Nagar, but no decision has yet been taken." This statement highlights the bureaucratic delays and lack of decisive action that have perpetuated this problem for decades.
The ongoing absence of an official residence not only affects the mayor's convenience but also raises questions about the civic body's commitment to providing adequate infrastructure for its elected representatives. As Nanded moves forward, addressing this issue will be crucial for enhancing governance and ensuring that basic amenities are in place for those serving the public.
