Allot new sites for govt offices to be displaced for Assembly expansion in 2 days: Bawankule

Nagpur: The state govt has initiated steps to acquire land currently occupied by the Government Printing Press and the City Supply Office in Nagpur to facilitate the long-awaited expansion of the Vidhan Bhavan complex.Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday directed concerned departments to identify and allot alternate sites for these offices within two days, ensuring uninterrupted public services.Presiding over a high-level review meeting chaired by Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar in Mumbai, Bawankule clarified that the existing sites will be handed over only after new premises are constructed and operational. "Both departments will receive appropriate plots. The new locations must be easily accessible for ration beneficiaries and users of printing services. Once relocation is complete, the land transfer process will move forward," he told reporters after the meeting. The final go-ahead will be issued after the approval of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.Officials confirmed that large portions of the printing press campus are underutilised and can be redeveloped as part of the legislative precinct. The Supply Department building, located on an adjoining plot, will also be vacated for new construction. Once relocated, these areas will be integrated into the proposed expansion, which envisions a modern legislative complex and redevelopment of the adjoining Zero Mile area.Senior officials who attended the meeting included PWD secretary Sanjay Deshpande, revenue undersecretary Ashwini Yamgar, MIDC chief engineer Ranjit Hande, joint secretary (Industries) Laxmikant Dhoke, MIDC executive engineer Akanksha Meshram, and MIDC manager Brajesh Dixit.As part of the broader plan, new Assembly and Council halls, a central hall, and a high-rise administrative block to house visiting Mantralaya officials will be constructed behind the existing Vidhan Bhavan. The project is part of a vision to transform Nagpur into a full-fledged second legislative capital, capable of hosting budget sessions complete with a joint address by the governor in a dedicated central hall.Legislative Council chairman Ram Shinde, during his visit on April 21, stated that the expansion would be modelled on the new Parliament complex in Delhi. "We are focused on building modern, eco-friendly infrastructure aligned with future requirements post-delimitation," he said. Shinde added that final decisions would be taken in consultation with legislature office-bearers and the state govt.The expansion plan first came to light in Nov 2023, when Speaker Rahul Narwekar, in an exclusive interview with TOI, revealed that the Legislature Secretariat directed the Nagpur district administration to acquire the required land. Narwekar reiterated his support for the proposal during Monday's proceedings via video conferencing.