Nagpur's Besa-Pipla Road Concretisation Project Delayed, Raising Safety Alarms
The much-awaited concretisation of the Besa-Pipla Road in Nagpur has failed to meet its mid-March completion deadline, extending commuter distress and amplifying serious safety issues along this heavily trafficked corridor. Originally slated for finalisation between February and March, the project remains unfinished, with authorities now targeting the end of April as a revised deadline.
Accident-Prone Stretch Earns 'Killer Road' Notoriety
The road has gained infamy as a 'killer road' following a tragic accident that claimed the life of 72-year-old Rangrao Patil. Uneven surfaces and persistent construction activities have rendered the area highly hazardous, with near-miss incidents occurring daily. Commuters report that the delays have substantially lengthened travel times while exposing them to continuous danger.
"I have personally observed multiple near-accidents on this road over the past few weeks," stated Madan Sahajwani, a local grocer. "The construction obscures lane markings, and during peak hours, vehicles are trapped in lengthy queues, escalating frustration and promoting risky driving behaviors."
Project Progress Stalls Despite Additional Funding
Even with extra financial injections, including support from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's Central Road Fund, on-ground advancement has been sluggish. A senior Public Works Department (PWD) source revealed that only one side of the road is approaching completion, while work on the opposite side is still pending.
"Approximately 10 to 20 metres of work remain on one side, but the March deadline was unattainable due to funding constraints that briefly stalled the project," the official explained. "The curing process is finished, and only paving block installation is left on that segment."
Revised Timeline and Project Expansion
The source added that both sides are anticipated to be fully concretised by April's end, barring further disruptions. The project's scope has also been modestly enlarged. Initially planned as a 1,150-metre stretch, it has now been extended to roughly 1,240 metres. Officials noted that such an extension is within the allowable 20% increase permitted under the authority of executive and chief engineers.
Second Phase Awaits Approval and Funding
Meanwhile, the second phase of the project—covering the section up to Pipla Fata—is pending technical sanction (TS) approval at the chief engineer (CE) level. The proposed Rs30 crore allocation under the Central Road Fund will be earmarked for this phase.
"Scrutiny is currently ongoing at the CE office," the official remarked. "We anticipate the tendering process to initiate by the second week of April, with work likely to start in early May." The official further expressed hope that the basic foundation laying for the second phase will be completed before the monsoon season arrives.
