Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday directed the administration to suspend officials responsible for failing to restore roads after excavation and blacklist contractors who do not properly restore them. The directions were issued at a meeting held at Gadkari’s Mahal office to review the proposed Nag River project and rehabilitation of settlements along the river. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Guardian Minister; Neeta Thakre, Mayor; Leela Hathibed, Deputy Mayor; MLAs Krishna Khopde, Mohan Mate and Sanjay Bhende; Dr Vipin Itankar, Municipal Commissioner; Kumar Ashirwad, District Collector; Sanjay Meena, NIT Chairman, and Vinayak Mahamuni, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer, among others, attended the meeting.

 

The Nag River project will include sewage treatment and sewerage works in five stages, including construction of three new sewage treatment plants (STPs) and reconstruction of two existing STPs. Road excavation will be required for project works in the West, South-West, South, Central and East constituencies. Referring to the problems caused by road excavation during earlier AMRUT and other projects, Gadkari directed authorities to use modern technology for both excavation and restoration. Gadkari called for utility mapping before any road is excavated, so that existing pipelines and cables can be identified. As no comprehensive underground utility mapping system is available, he suggested developing common ducts beneath roads for pipelines and cables, keeping requirements for the next 100 years in view.

 

The meeting discussed rehabilitation of unauthorised settlements and slums located within 15 metres of the Nag River. The Municipal Commissioner said around 2,500 houses would presently be required for rehabilitation. Gadkari directed the Municipal Corporation and NIT to survey vacant land and prepare a proposal for accommodating up to 5,000 houses. He stressed that all project-affected residents and occupants being considered for rehabilitation should complete the required documentation, including proof of residence. He directed Municipal Commissioner and Collector to take measures to prevent pollution of Nag River, noting that its polluted water affects parts of Nagpur and Bhandara districts. Measures should ensure that residents’ health is protected and farmers get clean water for agricultural use, he said.