Nagpur: Retaining walls along Nag River on Canal Road have slipped into a precarious condition, raising alarm among residents and commuters who fear a serious accident if repairs are not taken up urgently.Large portions of the wall, particularly in Ramdaspeth, are broken or missing. The damage dates back to September 2023 deluge, which weakened the structure at multiple points. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) carried out partial restoration soon after, but work has since stalled, leaving long stretches exposed.A TOI visit found that the absence of railings or barricades has turned the narrow road into a risky corridor for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. With river flowing immediately beside carriageway and no buffer in place, even a minor misstep or skid could lead to a fall into the water.Several stretches show signs of prolonged neglect, including eroded edges, debris accumulation and damaged stone pitching. In some sections, the riverbank has caved in, further shrinking gap between road and the river. With Canal Road emerging as a premium residential belt, residents also flagged risks from vehicles being parked along the embankment.“We use this road every day, and it has become increasingly unsafe,” said Alisha Khobragade, a resident of Canal Road area. “At night, visibility is low, and with no proper wall or railing, anyone could accidentally fall into the river.”“Temporary barricading was done to rebuild a broken bridge over the river, but once the work was done, the barricading was also removed,” said Shirish Patane.A senior official from Dharampeth zone said reconstruction of retaining walls is part of the Rs856 crore flood mitigation plan launched after the September 2023 deluge. “Priority has been given to stretches washed away or severely damaged during the rains. For other sections, funds are allocated only when a stretch is on the verge of collapse or in a highly dilapidated condition. The plan does not cover a comprehensive revamp of all retaining walls,” the official said.
