The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has declined to expand the road between Katol Naka and Fetri to four lanes, despite repeated directives from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. The NHAI contends that traffic levels on this stretch do not justify a four-lane upgrade.
In response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Arun Patil, the former president of the High Court Bar Association (HCBA), a division bench consisting of Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri had previously instructed the NHAI to review the proposal for a four-lane road.
Initially, NHAI had planned to extend the four-lane road from Katol Naka to Katol, but later removed this segment from the national highway project. The petitioner argued that this decision was made without the recommendation of the Nagpur project office.
In its latest affidavit, NHAI stated that an alternative outer ring road linking Katol Road with Amravati and Betul roads renders the expansion unnecessary. Additionally, a forest area along the proposed route would complicate the widening efforts. NHAI has now reaffirmed its position that the current traffic does not warrant the road’s expansion.
Advocate Firdos Mirza represented the petitioner, while Advocate Anish K Thane argued on behalf of the NHAI.