Nagpur Central Jail Relocation Gains Momentum, NMRDA to Visit New Site Today
Nagpur, India: Plans to shift the Nagpur Central Jail have been revived, with senior officials from the jail and the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) scheduled to inspect the proposed new site today. This follows a go-ahead from Maharashtra Revenue and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, signalling fresh movement in the ₹1,000 crore relocation project, which was first proposed during the earlier Fadnavis-led government.
The new jail is planned on a 150-acre site spread across Mouza Babhulkheda and Chicholi in Kamptee tehsil. Shifting the prison to the outskirts is expected to improve security, make inmate transport easier, and introduce better digital infrastructure for court-related procedures. It will also free up 124 acres of prime land on Wardha Road for future development.
The current jail land is categorised as ‘Public/Semi-Public’ in the city’s Development Plan under the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR). This zoning permits the development of schools, hospitals, government offices, cultural centres, and up to 15% of commercial use for public benefit. Liquor outlets and storage of hazardous materials are not allowed.
Civic authorities have already sought 11 acres from the existing jail land to create a Commercial and Ecological Park – a project aimed at combining urban development with green spaces. While exact redevelopment plans remain under discussion, the site could be used for libraries, health centres, community halls, and recreational zones – potentially transforming the former prison area into a lively public space.
Despite the enthusiasm among planners, environmental groups have expressed concerns over the potential loss of green cover – an issue that previously halted projects like the Intermodal Station at Ajni following public protests. The current jail premises, though enclosed, contain a large green patch in the city centre.
Officials have assured that all development will follow zoning regulations and serve public interest. With the NMRDA team inspecting the site today, the project has officially entered its planning phase. Nagpur now stands at a crossroads, ready to reshape a historic space into a more accessible and sustainable part of the city’s future.
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