Nagpur: Nearly 21 months after work began on Oct 9, 2024, for the 537-km sewer network under the Centre’s AMRUT 2.0 mission, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has managed to lay only 260 km. The slow pace of execution has left citizens grappling with dug-up roads and poor restoration across several neighbourhoods.With 277 km still to be completed before the June 2027 deadline, the civic body will have to almost double its current pace of works.On Friday, Mayor Neeta Thakre reviewed the project and expressed strong displeasure over the poor quality of road restoration after sewer line works. Warning contractors of stringent action, she said infrastructure development cannot come at the cost of public convenience and safety.The project has become a major source of frustration for residents in Chitnis Nagar, Pawansut Nagar, Gadge Baba Nagar, Jaitala and Jayprakash Nagar, where roads excavated for laying pipelines continue to remain in a damaged condition for weeks and, in some cases, months. Uneven surfaces, potholes, loose debris and inadequate barricading are causing frequent traffic snarls. Citizens have reported an increase in accidents and damage to vehicles.Superintending engineer Shweta Banerjee informed the mayor that of the 537-km sewer network in South Sewerage Zone, work has been completed for 260 km, while the target is to complete remaining works by June 2027. She maintained that road restoration is being carried out simultaneously with pipeline laying.The mayor observed that the condition of roads painted an entirely different picture. She directed officials to ensure that roads are restored immediately after excavation and that contractors adhere to prescribed quality standards. “Citizens are facing immense hardship because of these works. Some places have witnessed accidents. Such negligence cannot be tolerated,” she said.The figures presented during the meeting indicate that the project has so far progressed at an average of around 12 km a month since its launch. To meet the June 2027 target, NMC will now have to execute over 24 km every month, effectively doubling the present rate while simultaneously ensuring quality restoration of roads.Standing Committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare also questioned the quality of execution and highlighted persistent complaints from Jaitala and Jayprakash Nagar. She directed officials to immediately address pending restoration work.Municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, additional commissioner Ankit and senior officials of Public Health Engineering Department were present at the meeting.AMRUT 2.0 SEWER PROJECTProject: South Sewerage Zone under AMRUT 2.0Work started: Oct 9, 2024Total sewer network: 537 kmNetwork laid so far: 260 km (48.4%)Network yet to be laid: 277 km (51.6%)Official completion deadline: June 2027Progress so farTime elapsed: ~21 monthsAverage execution: 12 km/month (around 400 metres/day)Remaining work: 277 kmTime available: 11 monthsRequired pace: 24 km/month (around 810 metres/day)Reality checkNMC will have to double its present execution speed while simultaneously improving the quality of road restoration after laying sewer lines.
