Mayor, Infra News, ET Infra

NAGPUR: Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari said on Sunday Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will produce bio-CNG and also green hydrogen from 1,050 metric tonne (MT) garbage without any capital expenditure, or operation and maintenance cost. He also announced the 200-bed Paediatric Covid Hospital constructed by the civic body at RTMNU building on Ambazari Road will be inaugurated on January 15.

Giving details about projects planned and works completed during his tenure of one year, Tiwari addressed a press conference on Sunday. He said, “A company from Netherlands met Union minister Nitin Gadkari and proposed to develop bio-CNG plant. NMC will supply 1,000 MT wet and dry garbage to the company every day. The company will purchase 25 acres land, establish plant, and operate and maintain it. The company has also assured to share some revenue with NMC.” He informed the company plans to sell bio CNG in the central pool.

Similarly, a company from Chennai plans to set up a plant to produce green hydrogen from 50 MT garbage. “We have got verification of two projects done by Neeri, which confirmed these were feasible and also viable. Entire garbage generated daily will be reused, ending pollution after these projects start along with some already proposed,” he said.

Tiwari said Neeri has also prepared designs of green crematoriums for NMC, which will be implemented soon. “Neeri also suggested a project where particular plants will be planted on road-dividers to reduce air and sound pollution. These projects will be taken up on priority,” he said.

Admitting a delay, Tiwari said works on 200-bed Paediatric Covid Hospital were almost complete. “Leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis is likely to inspect the project on Monday. It will be the first of its kind hospital,” he said.

After completing six months of his tenure, Tiwari had claimed the hospital will be inaugurated in July 2021. Despite passing of six months, all works are not complete. With the help of National Cancer Institute, NMC developed dedicated Covid hospital for children citing views of experts that children will be infected during third wave.

Tiwari said, “NMC is operating six electric buses. Order for 40 more is already placed. 15 more will be procured from Smart City SPV. Environment minister Aditya Thackeray has assured to give Rs160 crore to NMC for purchasing 235 buses. Thus, we plan to run 300 electric buses. Charging and service stations will be developed at Bhandewadi dumping yard.”

Tiwari added he would have done more if 6.5 months in his one year tenure were not effected by the pandemic and code of conduct for MLC elections. But he denied any grudge with the BJP, which split the tenure into 2.5 years between two senior corporators, Tiwari and Sandip Joshi.

Asked about apathy towards two main problems — craters on roads and menace of stray dogs, Tiwari said, “Many major roads were concretized. Asphalting of roads with potholes is going on. The roads with craters are under jurisdiction of other government agencies. Work of repairing roads was affected by pandemic and also wrong policy of state since 2020. Efforts are on to restart sterilization of stray dogs.”

Though he took credit for various projects and works proposed or executed by the administration, Tiwari refused to take responsibility for the Bogus Contracts Scam, which came to fore during his tenure. “A committee will be formed soon and start inquiry. My responsibility will be to punish the culprits,” he said.

IN A NUTSHELL

COMPLETED WORKS

* 200-bed Paediatric Covid Hospital, oxygen plants at NMC Covid hospitals, 1,000 extra oxygen cylinders

* 2 Vande Mataram Health Centres at Pandhrabodi and Bhivsen Khori, 25 more likely by January 26 and another 48 by March-end

* Tablets distributed to 2,000 students of NMC schools for online classes

* Developed 39 oxygen parks, 15 more by August-end

* Mini STPs at 11 gardens for reuse of sewage water

* Large number of health diagnosis camps

WORKS UNDER WAY OR PROPOSED

* E-library on 12,000 sq ft area, two computer laboratories at NMC schools

* New road from Marwadi Chawl to Rajwada Palace

* Rs 5 crore Dr Bhatkar Science Research Centre in abandoned school building at Garoba Maidan

* Taken over PU land and open space from MSTC and works started on Vande Matram Garden at Empress Van

* Three new hospitals of NMC; 50-bed at Dabha, 30-bed each at Minimata Nagar and Nari

* Super 75 students to get training in JEE, PMT, NDA etc

* Green crematorium and plantation on road-dividers with Neeri to reduce air and sound pollution