50 Yrs On, PDKV Watches Sharks Gobble Land: 26.69 hectares in prime Nagpur locality remain illegally occupied

Nagpur: A sprawling 26.69 hectares owned by Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth in one of Nagpur's most valuable urban corridors has remained under illegal occupation for over five decades, raising sharp questions about alleged inaction by PDKV, administrative lapses and political interference.Official records accessed through RTI reveal the agricultural university holds 410.2 hectares in the city, of which 350.72 hectares are in its direct possession while 59.48 hectares have been allotted to various govt departments. Yet, a huge chunk (26.69 hectares) between East Shankar Nagar, Bajaj Nagar Square and Ramdaspeth has been encroached upon since the Seventies, evolving into a dense cluster of residential and commercial establishments.Senior university officials acknowledged persistent challenges, citing pressure and systemic hurdles. "We approached the corporation and police several times for removing encroachments. The biggest hurdles are the ongoing court cases," said Vijay Bawaiskar, a senior official, told TOI. "NCP's (Ajit Pawar) city wing has set up its office on encroached land. How do you expect encroachments would be removed," he asked.The Nagpur Municipal Corporation, however, rejected these claims, shifting responsibility back to the land-owning authority. Deputy Commissioner Mangesh Khawle said, "As per procedure, the land-owning agency must initiate action, with support from NMC and city police," adding govt rules place the primary burden of preventing and removing encroachments on PDKV.University officials maintain they have been pursuing the matter for years. Estate officer Vijay Khawle had told TOI last year, "We've also written to the govt and issued letters to MSEDCL, NMC and water works department against providing any connections to 67 commercial establishments." He further noted legal safeguards, including caveats, had been filed "so encroachers shouldn't get favourable orders without listening to PDKV."Despite these assertions, records show litigation on at least 22 encroachments involving 20 individuals has dragged on for decades. Legal notices and civil suits for eviction date back to 1976. A substantial portion — about 19.5 hectares — is occupied by members of the Kachi community, many of whom have been residing there for generations after they were brought by the British. In recent years, parts of this land have reportedly been subleased to commercial entities, including eateries, garages and marriage lawns along Central Bazaar Road.The situation has also triggered civic concerns. Residents of East Shankar Nagar complain about noise, congestion and parking issues linked to commercial activity on the encroached land, late into the night. "If Nagpur University can remove encroachments by seeking help from the chief minister's office and roping in noted lawyers, why can't PDKV do it," a resident asked.Municipal records indicate that eviction notices were issued in 2015 under the Maharashtra Regional & Town Planning Act, but action was halted after a stay by the state urban development department. An official from the Dharampeth Zone alleged the university had not made "honest efforts" to reclaim the land. On Monday, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court expressed concern and sought replies from NMC.Key Takeaways:26.69 hectares of PDKV land in a prime Nagpur area encroached for over five decadesUniversity holds 410.20 hectares, but large portions remain disputed or encroachedOfficials cite political pressure, litigation and lack of agency support as hurdlesNMC shifts responsibility to land-owning authority, citing procedural normsLegal battles over 22 encroachments ongoing since 197619.50 hectares occupied by Kachi community, with parts subleased commercially67 commercial establishments operating on disputed landResidents raise civic concerns over noise, traffic and illegal activityCase highlights systemic failures in urban land governance and enforcement