Ring Road cement concretization project to begin from Sept

NAGPUR: The Ring Road in Nagpur, which has been in the news for last few days after a portion of it collapsed, is set to be renovated extensively. The state public works department (PWD) is likely to begin converting the Ring Road from existing tar to cement concrete with the help of funds sanctioned by the central government from September.
Meanwhile, the PWD has asked Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) to inspect all bridges on the 45km Ring Road. Engineer from PWD told TOI works on bridges will be executed before commencement of cement concrete road project. “PWD does not know the exact condition of bridges on Ring Road. Some might require total renovation, others will be expanded while some may need minor repairs. Bridges in some locations are not connected to bridges in adjoining lanes, and need to be modified. VNIT will study and recommend if any improvements are required,” he said.
South Nagpur MLA Sudhakar Kohle said all problems on Ring Road will end within two years. “I had requested union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari to sanction funds for concretization of Ring Road. Mishaps have become common here. In fact, the road is no longer a Ring Road but has become a major road for the city. It connects all internal roads with national and state highways. PWD has failed to improve the road with increase in traffic. Gadkari sanctioned project worth over Rs 400 crore for Ring Road. Initially, project costing around Rs 293 crore will be executed,” he said.
Kohle said bhoomipuja of Ring Road cement concrete project is likely to be held in September. “PWD will start execution of the project from Hingna T-point to Chhattrapati Square, Dighori Square and Pardi. Then, second phase will cover remaining part of the road from Pardi to Mankapur Square, Katol Road and Amravati Road,” he said.
Engineers said PWD has kicked-off the tendering process of the project. “Pre-bid meeting was organized a few days ago. Now, process to submit bids etc will begin from August first week. Time period for execution of the entire project will be two years,” he said.
Continuing with his concept for cement concrete instead of tar roads, Gadkari had managed to get sanctioned the project from Central Road Fund. The project also covers widening of the stretch from Mankapur Square to Katol Road Naka and Amravati road, from the existing two-lane to four-lane. The Ring Road’s total length of 45km, excluding Mankapur Square to Amravati Road stretch, is four-lane. The stretch will be widened and constructed with tar under the project. Later, the stretch will be concretized in another scheme.
Kohle also said the Ring Road can also improve city bus service once it is converted into cement concrete. “Ring Road will be almost renovated under the project. We will try to run Starbuses in large numbers on the road to connect all parts,” he said.
The Ring Road was constructed in 1992 to act like a bypass for the city. All heavy vehicles started to use it to reach their destinations without entering the city. However, the city started to expand very fast and now Ring Road has turned into one of the city’s major internal roads. NHAI and PWD have already constructed half of the new Outer Ring Road and the remaining is likely to be completed in the next two-three years.