More funds for roads but no new infra project

NAGPUR: Municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar, in his budget for 2015-2016, has promised to focus on roads with higher funds for traffic operations allocating around Rs150 crore besides the civic body’s share in Rs300 crore cement roads’ project. But, no new infrastructure projects were announced for the next fiscal.
He has announced funds for projects including construction of railway overbridges in Manish Nagar and Maskasath.He has also promised to complete construction of the second phase of Ram Jhula. Hardikar informed that the civic body has already deposited Rs81.59 lakh with the railways for the ROBs. The proposal is in final stage and soon construction will commence, he stated.
Similarly, other pending projects like construction of ROBs at Maskasath, Jaripatka and near Ajni Railway station have also got a push. The civic chief said that the civic body has already deposited Rs46 lakh with railways for land leasing for construction of Maskasath RoB. Another Rs25.88 lakh have been deposited with the railways for construction of RoB at Itarsi railway line in Jaripatka.
Though he did not mention how much the civic body will spend, Hardikar promised to complete construction of bridges at Shivaji Nagar, Gangabai Ghat, Pili river and over Nag River confluence in Sitabuldi.
Besides these projects, roads and city traffic have got lots of attention in this budget with money kept aside for maintenance of roads and setting up of new hot mix plant.
As per city’s development plan report, the NMC will construct two new roads. For this, the civic chief has earmarked Rs10.25 crore. Construction of 12 metre wide and 390 metre long road will connect North Ambazari to Amravati Road from Matru Seva Sangh to Mure Memorial Hospital. Similarly, the NMC will widen another existing road between University Library Square and Maharajbagh Square.
Besides this, under integrated road improvement project, the NMC will concretize 242km of roads. For the purpose, NMC, along with state government and Nagpur Improvement Trust, will spend Rs300 crore.
According to Hardikar, concretization of tar roads will be a step towards making Nagpur a smart city.
Interestingly, sources said many of projects announced by Hardikar on Friday were launched a couple of years ago but their implementation remains a far cry. They cited an example of shifting of electric poles from middle of the roads. Like the last four years, this time too, the civic chief proposed Rs5 crore for the purpose. But, on ground zero, nothing has changed, they added.