The long-pending concretisation of the busy Kamptee Road stretch from Samvidhan Square to Automotive Square has finally entered the execution stage, with excavation and groundwork commencing earlier this month on one of city’s most congested traffic corridors. The Rs 150-crore project aims to develop a four-lane cement concrete road beneath the Kamptee Road flyover, extending up to the Automotive Square Metro Station. The work had formally been launched on December 16 last year when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari performed the ground-breaking ceremony hours before the State Election Commission announced the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) election schedule. Currently, construction activity is progressing from the Automotive Square end towards LIC Square.

 

Large-scale excavation is underway, with the existing tar road being dug nearly 1,500 mm below the surface to create a strong base for the proposed concrete carriageway. Engineers at the site said, the final road level would remain almost similar to the present height despite the deep excavation. “The foundation work is being carried out to ensure durability and long-term strength of the road,” an engineer associated with the project said. The redesigned corridor will include carriageways measuring between 7.5 and 9 metres on both sides. Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) said, the project would also feature side drains for stormwater management and underground pipelines at intervals of around 200 metres to channel excess water from the median. Dedicated cycle tracks have also been proposed along the stretch. Authorities said, the work would be executed in phases to minimise inconvenience to commuters using the arterial route connecting North Nagpur with the city centre.

 

The LIC Square–Automotive Square stretch has long been notorious for potholes, uneven surfaces and severe traffic congestion, especially during monsoon. Residents and daily commuters have welcomed the commencement of the project with cautious optimism. “This road has been in terrible condition for years. Travelling during rains becomes extremely difficult because of potholes and waterlogging,” said Jaripatka resident Prashant Meshram. Another commuter, Shweta Khandekar, said the concretisation was overdue. “Patchwork repairs never solved the problem. People are now hoping for a permanent solution,” she said. During the foundation ceremony, Gadkari had stated that the high-quality cement concrete road would remain pothole-free for at least 25 years, raising expectations among citizens for smoother and safer travel on the vital corridor.