Nagpur Improvement Trust

Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) has submitted a Rs 1,400 crore city improvement plan (CIP) to the central government under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
NIT chairman Dr Sanjay Mukherjee said that the plan has been submitted through Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) as NIT has not signed a tripartite agreement with the state and central governments which is mandatory for availing JNNURM funds. NMC had signed this agreement in 2005.
Mukherjee said that 40% of the city area within municipal limits, including the regularised unauthorised layouts, is under the jurisdiction of NIT. With growing population and ageing infrastructure the civic facilities need an upgradation.
Proposals under seven heads worth Rs 1,402.60 crore have been submitted under JNNURM. These seven heads are: water supply, sewerage, storm water drains, roads, street lighting, amenities (like parking, assembly halls and open spaces) and slum development under BSUP. The projects are spread over a period of four years from 2008 to 2011.
The share of NIT in these projects would be Rs 415.68 crore. The Central share would be Rs 643.56 crore while that of the state government would be Rs 279.66 crore. Parking lots and assembly halls would be developed through public-private partnership basis.
Mukherjee feels that NIT can afford to spend Rs 415 crore in four years for JNNURM works. He further said that in the first year, that is 2008, NIT plans to spend a total of Rs 322.90 crore for undertaking various projects under the programme.
The chairman said that tenders worth Rs 34 crore have been invited for integrated slum infrastructure development under BSUP. Work orders worth Rs 26.55 crore have been issued while those worth Rs 7 crore have been completed. Detailed project reports of the other projects are being prepared.
Commenting on the stalled Mayo modernisation project, Mukherjee said that NIT was awaiting the decision of the high-powered committee constituted by the state government.
Some issues remain to be resolved. NIT wants 6.25 acre of Medical Education and Drugs Department (MEDD) land at Ajni. But the latter is ready to give only 5 acres. Even the possession of these five acres has not been given to NIT.