The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has begun re-evaluating its cement road expansion policy, particularly for small lanes and residential by-lanes, following concerns about unnecessary expenditure and urban heat effects. A directive has been issued to NMC’s field units to carefully assess the necessity of using cement in internal roads before approving new projects.
This decision comes after Deputy Collector Asha Pathan, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, sent a letter requesting the exclusion of small residential lanes from cement road projects. In response, NMC Superintendent Engineer (Civil) has instructed Executive Engineers across multiple zones, including DPDC, Slum, Traffic, and Hot Mix Plants divisions, to reconsider their approach to road construction.
Public Outcry Against Cement Roads
For years, NMC has prioritized cement roads over tar roads, citing durability and longevity. However, this policy has sparked opposition from citizens like Yash Netke, a resident of Civil Lines, who submitted a memorandum to the CM’s OSD seeking a halt to cement road construction in internal residential areas.
Netke raised several concerns, including:
- Urban Heat Island Effect: Cement roads reflect heat instead of absorbing it, leading to increased temperatures in residential areas.
- Rising Road Levels: Concrete roads require excavation and re-layering, often raising road heights beyond house levels, causing waterlogging issues inside homes.
- Accessibility Issues: During construction, residents struggle with parking and mobility, making everyday life difficult.
- Misplaced Priorities: While funds are spent on cementing roads that already have good tar surfaces, areas like Ashi Nagar, Satranjipura, and Hudkeshwar’s Aradhana Nagar continue to lack basic road infrastructure.
NMC’s Stance and Future Considerations
While NMC officials acknowledged these concerns, they have not announced a complete halt to cement road projects. Instead, engineers have been asked to consider technical aspects while preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for internal lane construction.
Netke also pointed out that during a recent visit to Hyderabad, he observed that not a single internal road was concretized, despite the city being much larger than Nagpur. He questioned why Nagpur’s planners were so fixated on cement roads, especially when many areas still lack basic infrastructure.
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