The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to appoint Nodal Officers to improve coordination with Janmanch and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) over road construction and infrastructure issues in the city. The move follows complaints that NMC officials were not cooperating with the petitioner in addressing civic problems. The direction was issued while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Janmanch president Rajiv Jagtap. The petition raises concerns over the quality, construction and maintenance of cement concrete roads and other public infrastructure in Nagpur. The matter was heard by a division bench of Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Raj Wakode. The nodal officers will act as contact points for communication and coordination.

 

They are expected to help address complaints and ensure that issues related to development works reach the concerned officials. The arrangement is also expected to improve coordination between the civic body, the petitioner and MSRDC. During the hearing, the court was informed about the difficulties faced by Janmanch while communicating with NMC officials. At an earlier hearing, the NMC had agreed to take free expert guidance from geotechnical engineer Amol Shingare and architect Paramjit Singh Ahuja on development projects in the city. Their technical inputs are expected to help authorities address problems in road construction and infrastructure planning. The PIL has raised several concerns about cement concrete roads. These include increased road levels, water entering houses during the monsoon, poor drainage and defects in road construction.

 

The petition has also sought an independent assessment of road quality. In earlier proceedings, the High Court sought time-bound measures to address waterlogging caused by elevated roads. The court also directed the authorities to take corrective steps on road safety and maintenance issues. In July, the NMC informed the court that it had approached IIT Bombay for a technical audit of cement concrete roads. Janmanch questioned whether the proposal amounted to the independent audit required under government norms. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 26. Advocates Anish Kathane (NHAI), Mrunal Chakravarty (Janmanch), Gemini Kasat (NMC), Girish Kunte (NIT) and Shishir Uke (State Government) represented the respective parties.