Nashik Faces Severe Road Deterioration from Multiple Utility Projects
Road conditions across numerous parts of Nashik city have deteriorated substantially over recent months due to extensive digging operations carried out for various utility-related projects. This situation has affected both major arterial routes and internal colony roads, creating significant challenges for daily commuters and residents alike.
Major Infrastructure Projects Behind the Digging
The Nashik Smart City Corporation has been executing digging work at multiple locations throughout the city's road network to lay optical fibre cable infrastructure ahead of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela. This ambitious project, with an estimated cost of approximately Rs71 crore, is being implemented through a private agency and has a completion deadline set for December 2026.
Simultaneously, the Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd has conducted extensive trenching operations to install piped natural gas lines across various neighborhoods. Additionally, several municipal departments have excavated roads for essential water supply and drainage-related works, creating a complex web of construction activities throughout the urban landscape.
Widespread Commuter Inconvenience and Safety Concerns
Commuters across multiple Nashik divisions—including Panchavati, Gangapur Road, Nashik Road, Nashik West, and surrounding localities—have reported increasing difficulties navigating the city. The uneven road surfaces resulting from these projects have significantly slowed traffic flow and raised serious safety concerns regarding accident risks.
Residents have particularly highlighted the problematic nature of repeated digging by different agencies without proper coordination, which has exacerbated the deterioration of internal roads, especially within residential colonies. In areas along the Rasbihari–Meri link road, both the Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd and the Smart City Corporation have dug up multiple sections for their respective infrastructure projects.
Resident Complaints and Official Responses
Local residents have expressed frustration with the current road conditions. Manoj Shelke, a concerned citizen, stated, "The agencies filled the trenches after completing their work, but they failed to level them properly. These uneven patches are causing considerable inconvenience for everyone using these roads."
Bhushan Warke, a resident from the Gangapur Road area, echoed similar concerns, saying, "The condition of our roads has deteriorated significantly due to this extensive digging. We urgently request the authorities to repair them at the earliest possible opportunity."
In response to these concerns, municipal officials have clarified their repair responsibilities. They stated, "We will repair trenches dug up by Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd or by municipal departments once their respective works are completed. However, the Smart City Corporation will be responsible for repairing the stretches they have excavated themselves."
The current situation highlights the complex challenges cities face when multiple infrastructure projects overlap without comprehensive coordination, ultimately impacting the daily lives of residents who must navigate these compromised road conditions until proper repairs are completed.
