The ambitious beautification project on the Gaddigodam to Automotive Square stretch has effectively failed, as a severe lack of maintenance has left hundreds of recently planted saplings dried and dying. What was envisioned as a premier green belt to complement the modern infrastructure of North Nagpur has turned into a glaring example of administrative neglect. While approximately Rs 1.5 crore was spent to transform the dividers under the Kamptee Road fly-over into a lush landscape, the ground reality is dismal. A primary reason for this failure is the absolute lack of a daily watering mechanism.

 

Despite the completion of the project in 2025, the absence of a sustained maintenance plan has resulted in the greenery withering away under the harsh sun, leaving behind barren patches of soil and dead sticks where vibrant plants once stood. The project’s downfall can be traced to a critical oversight in the planning phase. While the plantation work was allotted to M/s Taori Pvt Ltd, the contract reportedly focused solely on the initial planting rather than long-term upkeep. This has left the maintenance responsibility in a ‘grey zone’. Ganesh Rathod, Deputy Commissioner (Garden Department) of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), clarified that while Maha Metro holds primary ownership of this stretch, the NMC acts as the fallback authority. Admitting to the deteriorating state of the greenery, Rathod stated, “We will look into the matter closely now as the plants are drying. We intend to deploy water tankers frequently to ensure the remaining plants stay green”.

 

The prospect of restoring the dried-up stretch remains uncertain due to a financial crunch. Garden Superintendent Amol Chaurpagar noted that while the Gaddigodam to Automotive Square work was completed last year, the next phase toward Zero Mile Square, estimated at Rs 70 lakh, is stalled. Officials have indicated that until a fresh infusion of funds is provided by the Central Government, no new plantation or large-scale restoration of the failed project can be initiated. 

 

The failure to maintain the green cover has triggered a chain reaction of civic issues. The barren dividers have now become hotspots for illegal garbage dumping. Furthermore, unauthorised individuals have begun encroaching on these vacant spots, leading to a complete breakdown of the aesthetic and hygienic standards promised under the ‘Clean and Beautiful Nagpur’ initiative. For the commuters of Kamptee Road, the contrast between the high-tech fly-over above and the neglected, withered landscape below serves as a stark reminder of the gap between infrastructure creation and its sustainable maintenance.