Civic neglect, unsafe roads endanger Godhani residents

 

 

Even as major infrastructure projects transform Nagpur’s urban areas, basic civic facilities remain elusive in some places. In parts of Godhani, poor road conditions, absence of sewer lines and a lack of proper drainage have made life difficult for citizens. In layouts such as Aditya Layout and Divya Layout near St Joseph’s School, Godhani, and the area surrounding Dr T S Wilkinson Memorial High School, roads remain non-existent, uneven, and filled with potholes and loose gravel. Locals say the absence of proper concrete or asphalt roads has made daily commuting hazardous. Two-wheelers frequently skid on the loose stones, while pedestrians risk slipping and injuring themselves. “Last year, a school van carrying children overturned because of these uneven roads.

 

We rushed to their aid and pulled everyone out,” a resident remarked, adding that, this was one of several mishaps he had witnessed while living there. There were multiple other instances, often involving children and elderly people. The problem becomes more severe during the monsoon season, when rainwater collects on these low-lying and uneven roads. Residents report prolonged water-logging that lasts for days, further damaging the road surface and restricting movement, not to mention the heightened risk of mosquito-borne diseases. They also added that they had submitted an application to the Nagar Panchayat, Godhani in December 2024, highlighting their grievance and requesting basic road infrastructure, but till date, there has been no improvement.

 

“We are paying taxes, which is why we are asking the Government to provide basic facilities. A road is not a luxury, especially when there are multiple school buses and loading trucks passing through here every day,” a resident remarked. Residents say that the issue is no longer about development but about safety and accountability. With heavy vehicles using these roads daily, residents say that continued inaction by the authorities was difficult to justify. Locals have urged the civic administration to conduct an inspection and take time-bound steps to construct a road, adding that, the area is a major arterial road and is witnessing rapid residential growth.