Nagpur: Nearly two years after the civic administration cracked down on contractors for botched road restoration following pipeline works, the problem appears to have resurfaced in one of Nagpur's most prominent localities — Civil Lines — exposing alleged lapses in monitoring by the public health engineering (PHE) department.
Road stretches in the Civil Lines area, including Ahimsa Square to Japanese Garden Square, Ravi Nagar Government Colony, WCL Square to Mother Dairy and Rifle Road, have been left potholed, uneven and hazardous after completion of works undertaken under the Amrut scheme. "In several locations contractors have merely dumped loose gravel and abandoned the sites without carrying out proper resurfacing, turning busy roads into accident-prone stretches at the onset of the monsoon," pointed out corporator of the area Abhijit Jha.
The latest complaints assume significance as they come despite repeated warnings issued by the then municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari against contractors executing pipeline projects. In June 2024, following a series of complaints and an accident involving a two-wheeler rider who skidded on a poorly restored road, Chaudhari had ordered penalties against erring agencies and warned of FIRs, blacklisting and daily fines for agencies failing to restore roads as per prescribed standards. Apart from the contractors, citizens also blamed the PHE department for the mess. They claimed that the PHE department, which supervises and monitors pipeline projects and road restoration activities, has failed to ensure compliance with civic norms despite a history of complaints, penalties and directives issued by the municipal administration.
During the pre-monsoon shower last week, water has reportedly accumulated in the dug-up patches. Loose gravel scattered across carriageways increased the risk of skidding, particularly for two-wheeler riders. Senior citizens, women and pedestrians are among the worst affected as navigating damaged stretches has become increasingly difficult.
In a communication addressed to municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, Jha demanded action against the contractor responsible for the restoration works. He also urged the civic administration to consider blacklisting the agency and ensure that all incomplete and substandard restoration works are completed without delay.
Jha pointed out that the affected roads fall within the Civil Lines area, a VVIP zone that houses govt colonies and witnesses frequent movement of senior bureaucrats, judicial officers, public representatives and visitors to various government establishments.
The recurring complaints have once again raised uncomfortable questions about accountability within the PHE department. While contractors continue to face criticism for poor execution, citizens said that restoration failures are equally a reflection of weak supervision, inadequate inspections and the absence of sustained monitoring by officials entrusted with ensuring that roads dug up for public infrastructure projects are restored to their original condition.
With the monsoon expected to intensify in the coming weeks, residents fear that open potholes, waterlogged depressions and loose gravel could trigger serious accidents.
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About the Author
Proshun Chakraborty
Proshun Chakraborty is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience in civic and urban affairs reporting. Currently Editor-Civic Affairs at The Times of India, Nagpur, he leads coverage on municipal governance, public infrastructure, traffic management, RTO affairs, and urban policy shifts. Proshun has built a trusted network across citizens, bureaucracy and political landscape. He is highly respected for his depth in civic journalism and unwavering commitment to public interest reporting. His hobbies include reading, listening to music and travelling.
