NAGPUR: The standing committee of the NMC had conducted an inspection
of inferior quality of road asphalting works and exposed the bogus
claims of the NMC engineers and contractors. The quality of restoration
work done on stretches of roads dug for laying of water pipeline is
worse than the quality of road asphalting works and posing a threat to
citizens. Now the corporators want inspection of these works which are
causing revenue loss to the NMC to a great extent.

According to
data available with the NMC, 271.15km stretch on roads was dug for
laying water pipeline under Pench-IV project sanctioned by the Central
government under JNNURM. According to the project, 314.99km stretch on
the roads was to be dug for laying of water network. The remaining
stretch of 43.84km is to be dug in the coming days.

Of total
271.15km stretch where the digging was done, the work include 5.69km
stretch from Godhani to Rajbhavan. Besides, 28.77km was dug from
Rajbhavan to newly constructed or under construction 20 over head water
tanks situated in various parts of the city. Also the stretch of
236.69km was dug from the tanks to nearby areas for laying water
network. Most of the stretches have been restored by use of concrete.

The pressure of traffic on these stretches is very less as situated on
the shoulder portion of the roads which come under use very rarely.
Still, the restored stretches are caving in at many places. Even, the
NMC had carried out asphalting work on few stretches when undertaken
work on the entire road. Few such stretches have also caved in. An
example is the stretch on RPTS road near NEERI Colony and also on NEERI
road.

Explaining the shoddy restoration work, Shiv Sena group leader
Suresh Talwekar told TOI that big potholes have developed on many
restored stretches in his ward. “Cave-ins and potholes may be seen in
many places on the stretch on Kalamna road which is part of the ring
road. Similar situation is seen at Pawan Nagar near Yashodhara police
station, Tipu Sultan
square, Pawan Nagar, Shivshakti Nagar, Shivaji Nagar square etc. An
inquiry should be conducted into the entire restoration work as crores
of rupees were spent on Pench project,” he said.

BSP corporator Kishor Gajbhiye said that the quality of restoration work is very poor. “Caving in portions at Manavta School
in Kunjilalpeth behind GMCH, Trisharan square etc in my ward are posing
threat to road users. Motorists are afraid to take their vehicles on
these portions. The officials of water works department are even not
taking cognisance of complaints,” he said.

Member of standing
committee and senior corporator Parinay Fuke said that Dharampeth zone
is also facing the same problem, where pilot project of 24X7 water
supply was implemented. “I can show many places where the restored
stretches have caved in, especially in Bhajiprabhu Nagar, Gokulpeth,
Ramnagar, Pandhrabodi etc. I asphalted the portions but still the situation
is as it is. I will raise the issue in the meeting of the standing
committee,” he said. The officials of water works department were not
available for comment.