Nagpur: Development works worth around Rs200 crore across Nagpur’s 38 prabhags are facing a roadblock as the civic administration is yet to clear files for works approved under the zonal budget, raising concerns over execution of these projects before the financial year ends.The standing committee had earmarked Rs20 crore for each of the 10 NMC zones for carrying out civic infrastructure and development works in the respective areas. Following the allocation, zone sabhapatis held meetings in their zones and gave their nod to works proposed by corporators, with projects worth around Rs20 crore approved for each zone.However, the approved files are reportedly stuck at various levels of the civic administration. The 10 assistant commissioners, 10 executive engineers and deputy engineers in the zones are yet to complete the necessary approvals and move the files forward. Sources said the delay at both the zonal and head office levels could leave the civic body with little time to actually execute the work.Confirming the development, ruling party leader and senior BJP corporator Narendra Borkar told TOI that he convened a meeting with senior civic officers and issued instructions to clear the proposals at the earliest.The delay is particularly significant as eight months of the current financial year have already elapsed, leaving only four months for completion of work. NMC commissioner is also expected to present the revised budget in December, after which availability and allocation of funds could undergo changes.Adding to the concern is the proposed teachers’ constituency election, with the model code of conduct expected to come into force for around 45 days from November. Once the code is enforced, sanctioning and execution of several new development works could be affected.The issue has also raised questions over the way some corporators have proceeded with works despite the files not receiving formal administrative approvals. According to sources, a majority of corporators have already initiated works in their respective prabhags, while several works have reportedly even been completed without following the mandatory tender or quotation process.Civic officials are now under pressure to clear the pending files and ensure that the sanctioned funds are utilised within the financial year. With the election code likely to further compress the available working window, any additional delay could result in several approved works remaining on paper despite the allocation of substantial funds.
