Nashik: Seven infrastructure firms from Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik have submitted bids for the Rs 221-crore project to widen the congested 6.4km Dwarka Circle-Datta Mandir stretch of the Nashik-Pune highway. During a pre-bid meeting with the civic body, bidders flagged concerns over cost escalation and land acquisition.
Bidders raise key concerns
Contractors questioned whether fluctuations in material costs, driven by global geopolitical tensions, would be accounted for in the contract or compensated separately. They also voiced concerns about land acquisition timelines, which are critical to preventing project delays.
Land acquisition details
Civic officials stated that the project requires around 50,000 square meters of land. Of this, 20,000 square meters is already with the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), while 13,500 square meters belongs to government agencies. The remaining 17,000 square meters, currently in private ownership, is being acquired through transfer of development rights (TDR). Notices have been issued to landowners to surrender land under the TDR mechanism.
Monsoon exclusion and technical clarity sought
Contractors pushed for excluding the four monsoon months from the stipulated one-year deadline to complete widening and asphalting works, citing execution challenges. They also sought clarity on technical specifications to ensure uniformity during construction.
Project timeline and bidding process
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has cleared the project, which is slated to begin in the first half of June. The last date for bid submission is June 1, and tenders will be opened on June 2, NMC officials said.
Proposed road expansion
The upgrade will expand the existing 25-meter-wide road to 45 meters. It includes two-lane service roads of 7.5 meters each on both sides, along with 2.5-meter-wide footpaths to improve pedestrian safety. Currently, the stretch lacks basic infrastructure such as service roads and walkways, making it hazardous for both motorists and pedestrians.
Importance of the corridor
The Dwarka Circle-Datta Mandir corridor is one of Nashik's busiest arterial routes, linking Nashik Road with the main city and serving as a key passage for traffic heading towards Pune, Shirdi, and the Sinnar industrial belt. Heavy congestion, compounded by dense commercial activity, has made widening imperative.
Preparations for Simhastha Kumbh Mela
Officials said the project aims to ease traffic bottlenecks and strengthen road infrastructure ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2027, when a sharp surge in vehicular movement is expected.
