Nagpur: Walkable Street project stumbles
SMART CITIES

Nagpur: Walkable Street project stumbles

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) Rs 150 million Healthy Walkable Street project is set to miss its second extended deadline of March 16, 2025. The project aims to develop the 1.2km stretch along both sides of the road from Abhyankar Nagar Square to Kachipura Square, incorporating a pedestrian walkway, cycling track, plazas, seating arrangements, safety walls, and parking facilities. 

Currently, only 600 meters of the project, spanning from Abhyankar Nagar Square to Bajaj Nagar Square, is under construction. Progress was slow, prompting repeated interventions from municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari. During an inspection, Chaudhari expressed dissatisfaction with the sluggish pace and directed the contractor to clear the site of construction debris, maintain cleanliness, and ensure complete barricading along the road. Additionally, the commissioner instructed the project department to issue a show-cause notice to the contractor for delays. 

The project's first extended deadline ended on September 16, 2024. Following the commissioner's directives, NMC imposed a fine of Rs5,000 per day on the contractor for the delays. 

According to executive engineer (projects) Kalpana Patane, the contractor has made partial progress, completing 90% of the redevelopment of footpaths on the left-hand side from VNIT to Bajaj Nagar Square, and the right-hand side from Bajaj Nagar Square to Kachipura Square. However, work on other sections is yet to begin due to opposition from shopkeepers. 

Those owning shops along the route fear the redevelopment of footpaths will reduce road width, potentially affecting customer access. Furthermore, the stretch adjacent to Kachipura slum will be developed with low-cost solutions to address specific challenges. 

In addition to the footpaths, NMC plans to improve the geometry of three key intersections, including Abhyankar Nagar Square, Bajaj Nagar Square, and Kachipura Chowk. Work has already begun at Bajaj Nagar Square, which had developed into a saucer-like shape after tar roads were converted to cement concrete on all four side, but the square itself remained a tar road at a lower level. 

To address this, cobblestones will be used to align all the intersections with the road height, simultaneously reducing vehicle speeds. Redesigned traffic islands and consistent road widths at junctions are also part of the project. NMC officials remain optimistic about overcoming these hurdles but acknowledge the need for more effective coordination to meet the revised deadline. The contractor may be granted another extension as NMC remains intent on completing the project despite the delays. 

                                                                                                                                              

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) Rs 150 million Healthy Walkable Street project is set to miss its second extended deadline of March 16, 2025. The project aims to develop the 1.2km stretch along both sides of the road from Abhyankar Nagar Square to Kachipura Square, incorporating a pedestrian walkway, cycling track, plazas, seating arrangements, safety walls, and parking facilities. Currently, only 600 meters of the project, spanning from Abhyankar Nagar Square to Bajaj Nagar Square, is under construction. Progress was slow, prompting repeated interventions from municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari. During an inspection, Chaudhari expressed dissatisfaction with the sluggish pace and directed the contractor to clear the site of construction debris, maintain cleanliness, and ensure complete barricading along the road. Additionally, the commissioner instructed the project department to issue a show-cause notice to the contractor for delays. The project's first extended deadline ended on September 16, 2024. Following the commissioner's directives, NMC imposed a fine of Rs5,000 per day on the contractor for the delays. According to executive engineer (projects) Kalpana Patane, the contractor has made partial progress, completing 90% of the redevelopment of footpaths on the left-hand side from VNIT to Bajaj Nagar Square, and the right-hand side from Bajaj Nagar Square to Kachipura Square. However, work on other sections is yet to begin due to opposition from shopkeepers. Those owning shops along the route fear the redevelopment of footpaths will reduce road width, potentially affecting customer access. Furthermore, the stretch adjacent to Kachipura slum will be developed with low-cost solutions to address specific challenges. In addition to the footpaths, NMC plans to improve the geometry of three key intersections, including Abhyankar Nagar Square, Bajaj Nagar Square, and Kachipura Chowk. Work has already begun at Bajaj Nagar Square, which had developed into a saucer-like shape after tar roads were converted to cement concrete on all four side, but the square itself remained a tar road at a lower level. To address this, cobblestones will be used to align all the intersections with the road height, simultaneously reducing vehicle speeds. Redesigned traffic islands and consistent road widths at junctions are also part of the project. NMC officials remain optimistic about overcoming these hurdles but acknowledge the need for more effective coordination to meet the revised deadline. The contractor may be granted another extension as NMC remains intent on completing the project despite the delays.                                                                                                                                               

Next Story
Real Estate

Pecan Realty Completes Rs 1.5 Billion Transactions

Pecan Realty has recently completed four institutional transactions worth over Rs 1.5 billion over the past two years, strengthening its position as an execution-led real estate platform. The deals include resolution-led acquisitions, structured finance transactions and capital partnerships across its development portfolio.The transactions covered acquisitions through the National Company Law Tribunal process and helped provide repayment or exits to both private and public sector lenders. The company said the deals demonstrate its ability to resolve complex project situations, work with instit..

Next Story
Real Estate

SNN Estates Expands North Bengaluru Housing Project

SNN Estates has announced an expansion of its SNN Estates Felicity residential project in North Bengaluru following strong buyer demand, with 75 per cent of the first-phase inventory sold within three days of launch.The developer will add 76 apartments in the new phase, taking the project's estimated revenue potential to around Rs 1,000 crore upon completion of Phase 2.Spread across 6.5 acres in Rachenahalli, near Manyata Tech Park, the project comprises 604 apartments in 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 BHK configurations. The development includes a 50,000-sq-ft clubhouse with amenities such as sports co..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

SCG Drives ASEAN Industrial Transformation Strategy

SCG is strengthening its focus on ASEAN as a key growth region by advancing industrial transformation, enhancing competitiveness and building resilient regional value chains. Thammasak Sethaudom, President and Chief Executive Officer, SCG, highlighted the need for industries to continuously develop capabilities, strengthen resilience and deepen regional cooperation to achieve sustainable long-term growth.SCG views ASEAN as an important growth engine alongside China, supported by favourable demographics, trade connectivity and investment flows. With ASEAN’s GDP projected to grow by around 4.7..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement