Amidst attempts to attract new investment in the second capital of the State, the city administration, however, seems to be least bothered about proper upkeep of the road network. Barring some stretches in well-developed South and West Nagpur, many other areas have to still bear with poor quality of riding surfaces. Take the vital stretch of road near the TV Tower, particularly, the section in front of the offices of the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

 

This stretch has deteriorated into a hazardous nightmare for daily commuters. The road’s surface has been severely eroded, leaving behind potholes and loose gravel, locally known as gitti. Commuters traversing this crucial artery are constantly battling adverse conditions. The uneven, damaged surface makes daily travel a harrowing experience, characterised by jarring bumps and slow movement. More critically, the presence of loose stones poses a serious safety risk. Vehicles, especially two-wheelers, frequently skid and lose balance on the treacherous material, leading to an increasing number of minor and major accidents. People often slip on this turning because of the loose gravel spread across the stretch.

 

“I have been sitting here daily for a very long time and witness mishaps on a regular basis,” a vegetable seller said. Beyond the immediate danger to life and limb, the relentless pounding from the poor road condition result in puncture in tyres and costly damage to vehicles, forcing residents and office-goers to incur frequent repair expenses. This lack of basic infrastructure maintenance directly impacts the hundreds who use this route daily to access these key Government and commercial establishments. The problem accentuates during the night. Commuters using this road often complain that “Streetlights on this stretch do not function at night and due to less ,visibility commuters blunder and drive their vehicles straight through it causing damage to their vehicles. Garbage Dump: Adding to the infrastructural failure is a growing civic concern right opposite the GSI office. Residents from nearby areas are consistently using the open space across the GSI premises as an unauthorised dumping ground. This practice has resulted in the continuous accumulation of garbage piles, turning a public thoroughfare into an unsightly and unsanitary mess.

 

The rampant littering creates an unhygienic environment, posing health risks to the community and emanating a persistent foul odour. This issue not only diminishes the aesthetic value of the neighborhood, but also reflects poorly on the civic responsibility of the locals. While the road’s poor condition is a matter for the Engineering Department, the garbage problem requires immediate intervention from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) sanitation wing, coupled with greater public cooperation. Local commuters and residents are demanding immediate action from the concerned authorities. The primary focus must be the urgent repair and resurfacing of the damaged road to ensure commuter safety and prevent further vehicle damage. Simultaneously, the NMC must implement strict monitoring and impose penalties to curb the illegal dumping of waste in the pristine Seminary Hills area. Addressing these dual challenges is essential to restore safety, hygiene and convenience of this important locality.