Nagpur: Six months after the foundation stone was laid for two road concretisation projects worth Rs150 crore each, their implementation has taken sharply different trajectories. While the Public Works Department (PWD) has begun ground work on the RBI Square–Automotive Square corridor, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) is yet to award the tender for the Central Avenue concretisation and footpath redevelopment project.Union minister Nitin Gadkari performed the bhoomipuja for both projects on Dec 15 last year, projecting them as key infrastructure upgrades to improve road quality, traffic flow and pedestrian facilities. Despite being announced on the same day, the two projects have progressed at markedly different speeds.PWD has already started work on the 6.14-km cement concrete road from RBI Square to Automotive Square Metro Station along the old National Highway-44 on the Nagpur-Jabalpur route. The project includes construction of a four-lane concrete carriageway, modern stormwater drainage and other civic infrastructure.The second project envisages white-topping the 6.1-km Central Avenue stretch from Poddareshwar Ram Mandir to Prajapati Nagar (Pardi), besides redeveloping footpaths and creating pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. However, it remains stuck at the tendering stage.PWD entrusted MahaMetro with executing the Central Avenue project because of the agency’s experience in implementing urban infrastructure works. However, the delay in awarding the contract has pushed the project’s timeline back by several months.A senior MahaMetro official told TOI that elections for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) delayed the process.“Initially, the Model Code of Conduct was in force for the NMC elections and later for the MLC by-election, which delayed the tendering process. We have now initiated the tender process, and work will begin after the contract is awarded. Although the project belongs to PWD, all decisions are being taken in consultation with the department,” the official said.The delay is significant as Central Avenue is among Nagpur’s busiest commercial corridors, carrying heavy traffic throughout the day. Once construction begins, it will have to be executed in phases with extensive traffic management to minimise disruption to commuters and businesses.At the bhoomipuja, Gadkari had said the cement concrete roads would remain pothole-free for at least 25 years. Both projects also include modern footpaths, improved stormwater drainage and dedicated cycle tracks.
