Just 48 hours after NMC commissioner Dr. Abhijeet Chaudhari’s strict “no-digging” diktat took effect, the rule was already being broken, not by outsiders, but by his own department, turning the order into little more than a public announcement.
Dr. Chaudhari had clearly stated that no road excavation would be allowed in the city after May 31, except in cases of unavoidable emergencies. However, the order was openly violated on Sunday and appears likely to be ignored throughout the week.
According to a media report, a previously well-laid cement road near Manavta School is now being dug up by MSEDCL for underground cabling, raising serious questions about poor coordination between agencies and the careless wastage of public funds. Just a few meters away, at Imamwada, fresh excavation for sewer line work has begun, blatantly violating the NMC commissioner’s post-May 31 ban on road digging.
Meanwhile, at Imambara, a major road left half-dug for months remains incomplete. Instead of finishing that stretch, authorities are preparing to start new sewer line work nearby. Large pipes lie abandoned in the middle of the road, blocking even pedestrian access. With no barricades, no urgency, and zero accountability in sight, the situation reflects a complete breakdown in planning and execution.
“Did the May 31 deadline mean anything? Or was it just to pacify citizens and the media?” asked Rajesh Thakur, a local shopkeeper from Imambara, who now takes a longer detour every day to reach his shop.
At Manavta School, the situation is even worse. Over a one-kilometre stretch has been dug up for sewer line work, leaving behind damaged roads, ankle-deep sludge, and serious safety hazards for residents and schoolchildren alike.
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