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.