Nagpur: Despite a clear directive from Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari to halt all digging activities from June 1 during monsoon, NMC contractors and others continue to defy the order, carrying out road and pavement excavations across the city. The unchecked digging has now created hazardous conditions for residents, as many of the trenches have filled with rainwater, posing a serious safety risk. A visit by TOI to areas like Narendra Nagar and Mominpura on Monday revealed ongoing excavation work in multiple spots. In Narendra Nagar, trenches were being dug for pipeline and drainage installation, even on stretches of the inner ring road. In Mominpura, already narrow roads have been further compromised by digging, significantly reducing road width and causing traffic and safety issues. TOI had on earlier occasions also highlighted how contractors and other govt agencies were carrying out digging activities across the city in clear violation of Chaudhari’s diktat. “The NMC dug up a full stretch of the road on Sunday night in Narendra Nagar. How can this be allowed when rains lash the city everyday? The debris left after excavation is lying on the road. It has turned muddy after rains and vehicle users have a tough time navigating the slippery stretch. They also haven’t put up barricades along the dug-up trenches, which are now filled with rainwater. If anyone falls in it and sustains injuries, who will be responsible?” said Vinay Joshi, a local resident.The NMC was carrying out water pipeline laying work in this area. Another resident pointed out that all the works should have been completed before the rainy season. “Now rains have started, and NMC is still carrying out the work. Our houses will be flooded as drainage lines have been blocked because of the works. Our children play outside; what if any one of them falls in the dug-up trench?” said the resident. Residents of Mominpura also raised questions about the digging up of the main road during the rainy season. “This is unacceptable. The roads are already narrow, and 50% of it has been dug up. It is causing major inconvenience to motorists. The debris hasn’t been removed from the spot. After a brief spell of rains it will turn into slush, making it impossible to even walk on the street. The NMC is playing with the lives of locals,” said Zaid Qureshi, a resident. Zaid also pointed out that the area already suffers from several civic issues, including poor garbage disposal and others. “This is not the first time that the same road has been dug up. This has become a regular phenomenon. All of these works should have been completed before the rainy season,” said Qureshi.Sources said that Narendra Nagar and Mominpura are not the only localities where the digging is going on; many other areas too are facing the same issue.
