The Green Nagpur group on Thursday said that over 5,000 Nagpur residents have signed an online petition opposing the construction of cement roads in the city. The group has organised a protest rally on August 11, beginning at 10 a.m. The march will start at the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Variety Square and conclude at the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar statue at Samvidhan Square.
During a press conference, environmental activist Anasuya Kale Chhabrani criticized the authorities for their lack of response to concerns about the negative impacts of increased concretization. “We learned nothing from 2023,” she remarked.
RJ Preeti shared her disappointment about the city’s disorganized development, which she thinks has caused problems like frequent waterlogging. She reminded everyone that the online petition, which many people have signed, is still active and getting support.
Shatayu Vijay argued that not every part of the city needs cement roads. He suggested that only certain roads should be made of cement. He highlighted how important it is for water to soak into the ground to keep groundwater levels up and warned that more cement roads could reduce these levels even further.
Supporting this perspective, Jaideep Das emphasized the alarming decline in groundwater levels, referencing a WWF study on groundwater depletion. He also expressed concerns about the increasing temperatures in the city.
Ashutosh Dabholkar raised concerns about the planning and accountability of the authorities, noting that even the blocks laid along cement roads have a layer of cement underneath, preventing water from seeping through. Sharad Patil added that while people are willing to support development efforts, these must be carried out in a way that benefits society. He pointed out that many roads, which were promised to be crack-free, are already developing cracks just months after construction.
Sharad Paliwal further criticized the promises made about cement roads, stating that they were supposed to be crack-free and more cost-effective than bitumen roads. However, he observed that these roads have already developed cracks and now require maintenance, making them less cost-effective in comparison. He remarked, “Bitumen is a byproduct, low-cost, and comparatively a better option when used with good materials.”