The Public Works Department (PWD) has initiated preparations to widen Old Kamptee Road from the Inner Ring Road junction to Kamptee, converting the existing two-way road into a four-lane concrete corridor to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity between Kamptee and the city. The move comes after the department issued a tender for the renovation of the road leading towards Kamptee from Kalamana market. The proposed expansion of Old Kamptee Road is expected to provide relief to thousands of commuters travelling daily between Kamptee, surrounding areas and Nagpur city.

 

The existing road has a tar carriageway of around 10 metres wide, which is proposed to be expanded to nearly 18 to 24 metres with a concrete surface. The project will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), while its estimated cost is yet to be finalised. Old Kamptee Road is a key transport link used by residents, office-goers, traders and students commuting to Nagpur. The route carries a substantial volume of heavy vehicles, two-wheelers and cars, often creating traffic pressure, particularly during peak hours. The widening is expected to improve traffic flow. PWD officials said preparations were at an early stage, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR), tendering and work order expected to be completed over the next few months.

 

The department is targeting completion of the project within around two years after work begins. Officials are considering the short-panel white topping technique to reduce construction costs and shorten the time required to complete the project. Under this method, a concrete layer is laid over an existing road base, subject to its suitability and condition. “The road was constructed on a Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis and has a solid base, which eliminates the need for complete reconstruction of the road,” a senior PWD official said. However, the final construction method will be decided after technical assessment by the department. The expansion is expected to benefit residents who depend on the road for access to workplaces, educational institutions, markets and healthcare facilities in Nagpur. A wider carriageway could improve the movement of commercial vehicles and reduce conflicts between heavy vehicles and smaller vehicles sharing the existing road space. With the project still at the planning stage, commuters will have to wait for the DPR and tendering process to be completed before the actual timeline and cost become clear.