Nagpur: With the city all set to welcome ‘Bappa’, the hotmix plant department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has repaired 819 potholes covering 12,490 square metres across the city between Sept 1 and 9. However, despite the civic body’s efforts to provide pothole-free roads along idol procession and immersion routes, several roads continue to be riddled with potholes, while some of the repaired stretches have turned into uneven patches, raising concerns over the quality of restoration work.The NMC has formed five special teams to undertake pothole repairs on roads used by Ganesh mandals and along immersion routes. The initiative aims to ensure smoother movement of processions and improve road safety for devotees during the festival.According to zone-wise data, Dharampeth recorded the highest number of potholes repaired at 142, covering 2,228 square metres. Gandhibagh followed with 122 potholes repaired over 1,672 square metres, while Nehru Nagar reported 86 potholes covering the largest area among the zones at 2,321 square metres.Dhantoli recorded the lowest area of repairs at 225 square metres, despite repairing 80 potholes. Lakadganj reported the lowest number of potholes repaired at 34, covering 400 square metres.The repairs were carried out across all 10 NMC zones. Laxmi Nagar repaired 75 potholes covering 1,411 square metres, while Hanuman Nagar repaired 63 potholes over 904 square metres. Satranjipura repaired 90 potholes covering 1,008 square metres, and Mangalwari repaired 74 potholes over 1,868 square metres. Ashi Nagar repaired 53 potholes covering 449 square metres.Despite the special drive, commuters and residents have pointed out that several roads still have potholes, particularly on stretches witnessing heavy traffic during Ganeshotsav. In some locations, the patchwork has left roads uneven, creating bumps and rough surfaces instead of restoring them to a smooth condition.The uneven restoration has raised questions over whether the repairs will withstand heavy traffic and monsoon showers. With immersion processions expected to pass through several city roads, residents have urged the civic body to inspect repaired stretches and ensure proper levelling and quality of work.The NMC’s pothole repair drive comes at a crucial time when thousands of devotees are expected to travel to Ganesh mandals and immersion points. The civic body will need to ensure that the repaired roads remain safe and motorable throughout the festival.SPECIAL DRIVE5: Special pothole repair teams formed by NMC10: NMC zones covered10 days: Repair periodObjective: Pothole-free roads along Ganesh idol procession and immersion routesConcern: Several roads still have potholes; some repaired stretches have turned into uneven patches
