MahaMetro Takes Over 46,000 Sq.m of Public Land in Nagpur
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NAGPUR – In a move that has triggered serious concerns over public asset management, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) has been granted permanent ownership (freehold) of over 46,000 square metres of prime public land in Nagpur. These parcels, earlier allocated on lease for Metro Phase 1, were quietly handed over through a Government Resolution (GR) dated April 28, 2025.
The land spans key areas including Sitabuldi, Ajni, Dhantoli, and Sakkardara—neighbourhoods central to the city’s civic and commercial life. Previously intended to support urban transport infrastructure, the land is now legally owned by MahaMetro, with no lease restrictions.
Critics argue this transfer is more than a routine bureaucratic move—it is a worrying shift that could open the door to commercial exploitation. Although the GR includes a clause stating the land must be used for “designated” Metro-related purposes, it does not outline any mechanism for enforcing that rule. Urban planning experts warn this effectively allows the land to be monetised through real estate development.
"This isn’t just about space—it’s about accountability," said environmental activist Anusuya Kale Chabrani. "Once public land is converted into commercial property, it’s lost forever. This decision sets a dangerous precedent."
Among the transferred sites are:
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Water Works Old Office, Sitabuldi – 4,275 sq.m
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Khoya Bazar, Sitabuldi – 47 sq.m
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Hindi Bharti School, Sitabuldi – 662 sq.m
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Vij Mata Mandir, Somalwada – 1,000 sq.m
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Jayprakash Nagar, Ambazari – 193 sq.m
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Metro Bhavan, Pratap Nagar – 6,359 sq.m
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Ujjwal Nagar Ground – 5,642 sq.m
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Crazy Castle, Ajni Square Metro Station – 4,692 sq.m
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Shankar Nagar Metro Station – 527 sq.m
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Dharampeth Education Society premises – 903 sq.m
Despite the scale of the transfer, both the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) have remained silent, drawing criticism for not demanding transparency or public input.
Analysts say the state government—facing heavy debt from World Bank loans tied to the Metro projects—is increasingly treating public land as a financial lifeline. The fear is that civic space will be sacrificed for commercial towers, shopping complexes, and office buildings, stripping the city of assets meant to serve future generations.
As Nagpur continues to grow, urban land becomes ever more precious. Citizens and watchdogs are now demanding clarity: Who authorised this? What safeguards exist? And what happens when there’s no public land left?
“This isn’t urban planning anymore,” said one local planner. “It’s a real estate strategy.”
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