Residents of South-West Nagpur have raised serious concern regarding the prolonged delay in the completion of the cement road stretching from Pratap Nagar to Somalwar High School, Khamla. In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, citizens have expressed frustration over the hardships faced, particularly, by the senior citizens, pedestrians, and two-wheeler riders, due to the partially constructed road. While onside of the road, from Dutt Medical Stores to Baba Saoji, is reportedly completed, the other side of the stretch from the Police Chowki to Union Bank Chowk, especially the section from Chandankhede Chakki to Somalwar School near the residence of former MLA and corporator Nana Shamkule, remains incomplete for over a year. The contractor, identified as KCC, is said to have abandoned the project without any prior notice, and even the former corporators seem unaware of the project’s status.

 

This has led to the emergence of a serious bottleneck at Union Bank Chowk, where broken I-blocks and makeshift ramps have deteriorated due to heavy vehicular movement. As a result, daily commuters, especially two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, are forced to navigate the stretch with extreme caution, risking injury and accidents. Mangesh Chandankhede, proprietor of a local grocery store and flour mill, reported frequent accidents in the area, particularly, during the evening hours when visibility is poor.

 

The absence of proper ramps is a major concern, with elderly citizens and women most affected. Citizens have demanded that both sides of the road at Union Bank Chowk be provided with proper cement ramps without further delay, at least until the entire road is completed. Additionally, the adjoining cement road from Union Bank Chowk to Khamla via Telecom Nagar has also seen a halt in construction for the past 20 days. The situation has adversely affected residents of Ramkrishna Nagar, Ashok Colony, and Sindhi Colony. Locals allege that the contractor had abandoned the site completely.

 

The road in question links several important areas, including Ranapratap Nagar, Telecom Nagar, Ramkrishna Nagar, Ravindra Nagar, Ganesh Colony, Shantiniketan Colony, Railway Colony, Central Excise Colony, Gawande Layout, Ashok Colony, Trisaran Nagar, Shastri Layout, Khamla Basti, and Khamla Layout. It serves as a crucial connect to Bhende Layout and Wardha Road on either side. Residents of South-West Nagpur have made a collective appeal to the State Government and municipal authorities for the immediate resumption and completion of the cement road work and the creation of proper ramps at all bottleneck areas to ensure road safety. This urgent demand has been formally put forth by all residents of South-West Nagpur, members of the Pratap Nagar News Group, and the Telecom Nagar Citizens’ Committee, who have signed the appeal in public interest.