142 roads of 107km identified for concretization under Phase-IV

Nagpur: Even as a controversy rages over inferior quality of works and inordinate delays, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has identified 142 more major roads wider than 12 meter for concretization under Cement Concrete Road Project Phase-IV. For the first time, roads outside Inner Ring Road (IRR) have also been selected for concretization.
Deputy CM and guardian minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced approval of Rs1,000 crore for the civic body to concretize remaining major roads of the city last month. The state government had reportedly released ₹300 crore as first instalment.
“The ten zones were asked to survey and send list of roads wider than 12 meter for concretization. Under three phases, roads inside IRR were concretized. For the first time, we asked for list of roads located outside IRR.
“The zones listed 167 such roads, and 25 of them are being taken for concretization under Central Road Fund (CRF), or fall in jurisdiction of other agencies like Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and state’s public works department. Therefore, we have list of 142 roads which can be concretized,” NMC officials told TOI.
MC officials said the approximate length of these 142 roads come to 107km, of which 105 roads stretching 67km are inside IRR, and remaining 37 roads of 40km outside IRR.
“Process to appoint project management consultant to finalize roads, estimated cost and other procedures is underway. Some roads will be taken in next phase in case cost crosses ₹1,000 crore,” NMC officials said.
Almost all roads with width of 12 meter and above in the city are likely to be of cement concrete after concretization of 167 roads.
The civic body had launched concretization of major roads by implementing Phase-I on 30 roads with length of 26km on June 6, 2011. Works were to be completed on June 5, 2013. Project is marred by shoddy works and inordinate delays. The works of phase-I are still incomplete 12 years later.
Under phase-II, 51 roads stretching 68km were selected for concretization in 2015-16. Minor works are left in this phase. For Phase-III, 39 roads with length of 41km were selected in 2016-17 and works are underway.
The state PWD had also started concretization of roads with the help of funds sanctioned by Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Inner Ring Road of 40km has been concretized followed by Wardha Road and Amravati Road.
Unfortunately, concretized roads of state PWD are also hit by inferior quality works and slow pace.
Almost all major roads could have been concretized if NMC and state PWD completed works within deadline. NMC had implemented phase-I from its own pockets.