NH division to start road micro-surfacing

NASHIK: The national highway (NH) division of the public works department (PWD) has said it will start micro-surfacing on the Nashik-Pune road that has been damaged extensively in rain since July 18.
The Datta Mandir-Dwarka road, which is part of the Nashik Pune National Highway-50, is full of potholes with its top layer giving away during monsoon.The road is full of dust and makes it difficult for motorists – especially those riding two-wheelers.
“The department had started the work of micro-surfacing in June itself to cover up the bad patch on the roads. The roads had grooves left by the milling machine used to clear the warps on them. The work was halted after the rain set in. We will now begin it again,” an official said.
The 3-km stretch between Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar and Datta Mandir of the Dwarka – Datta Mandir section is a nightmare for the motorists, who have to negotiate the pits across the road and also mounds of crushed sand laying in the last lane of the roads on either side.
The micro-surfacing in the fine 8-mm layer of bitumen and crushed sand that is tightly bound in the manner that it does not easily give way.
“It is costly and the department has given the contract for the work, considering the requirement of the road which has a heavy traffic density and is an arterial road connecting Nashik city and Nashik Road,” the officer said.
The official added that the major issue of carrying out of development work for road was affected largely because of the lack of funds. “For every single sanction of work we have to approach the Union government and seek approval as they are the fund providers. Hence the work was delayed,” another official said.
The work is likely to take three weeks to complete.
In the meantime, the work on the laying of additional lane will also begin. “As of now, the work has begun though slowly. The work of compaction is going on. The final asphalting will take some time as the trees that are in the extended area have to be fallen and the matter is sub-judice. Only after the court orders we will be able to decide on the projects further,” the officer said.