Congress MLA Vikas Thackeray says Ravi Nagar VIP rest house is used as chief engineer's residence

Congress MLA Vikas Thackeray has complained that the VIP rest house at Ravi Nagar in Nagpur is being used as an official residence by the superintending engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD). He has submitted the complaint to state PWD Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale.

According to the complaint, the rest house falls under PWD's Nagpur Division No. 1. It states that about Rs 92,86,914 was spent on the building from funds sanctioned for the winter session. Thackeray alleged that in reality the building is being used as the superintending engineer's official residence.

Bungalow No. 47/1 at Ravi Nagar is a VIP rest house. Thackeray asked how it could then be used as the superintending engineer's official residence.

Thackeray has also made a further demand. He said the PWD spends Rs 100 crore every year in the name of repairs and that this should be investigated. He also demanded that the government cut such extravagant spending during a time of drought.

Asked about the allegations, Superintending Engineer Neeta Thackeray put forward her side. She said the matter does not belong to her tenure. She added, however, that the bungalow has been allotted as an official residence.

According to Neeta Thackeray, the bungalow is a heritage building constructed in 1917. She said the money may have been spent on repairs and upkeep according to its condition in 2023.

Two different versions of the matter have thus emerged. MLA Vikas Thackeray has questioned the expenditure on the rest house and its use. Superintending Engineer Neeta Thackeray has said the bungalow has been allotted as an official residence and that the money may have been spent on maintaining an old building.

The issue may now spark a fresh controversy in Nagpur. It will be important to see what action Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale takes on the complaint.