The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has temporarily halted cement-concrete road projects estimated at Rs. 9 bn amid concerns over water scarcity following inadequate rainfall in Nagpur district. The suspension affects Phase 5 of the city’s road-concretisation programme, with the civic body prioritising drinking water supplies and conservation.

The phase initially covered 135 roads, but the number was later increased to 265 following proposals from local legislators and corporators. The planned works were to cover approximately 900.22 km of roads across the city, according to information released by the civic administration.

The NMC decided to defer construction because cement-concrete road works require substantial quantities of water. The district recorded its lowest rainfall in 18 years this year, while water levels in the dams supplying the region reportedly stood at around 58 per cent.

The administration has also warned of punitive action against water wastage as it seeks to manage the available reserves. The measure is intended to protect supplies for essential consumption while the district faces strained water availability.

The road projects will remain deferred until conditions improve sufficiently for construction to resume. The civic body’s decision places immediate water security ahead of the scheduled execution of the infrastructure programme, although the approved works remain part of the city’s broader road-concretisation plans.