Wardha Road: Authorities cementing an un-even ride!
| Date :10-Nov-2022 |
By Rutu Borkar
A slew of cement roads is being unrolled on stretch after stretch in city, with policy-makers and planners calling it a necessary makeover to meet current and future needs of the city traffic. While this may be a genuine necessity in some areas, experts and citizens, however, feel that cement roads are ending up creating a bigger problem for many, rather than solving the age-old issue of pot holes. With no planning for storm water drains in place, the network of tar roads is in tatters in the aftermath of rains. Moreover, due to continuous movement of heavy vehicles, the current road network is witnessing rapid wear and tear with potholes surfacing frequently.
The Hitavada traversed on the National Highway no. 6, examining the urban stretch from Khapri to Samvidhan Square, that is currently undergoing transformation as National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has allocated funds for construction of cement road. Construction is in full swing from just after Khapri fly-over to Rahate Colony. A closer look at the construction, however, reveals a murkier picture of what the sparkling new cement road will present to its citizens in future.
The foremost of problem with the ongoing cement road construction is the road height. At some points and intersection, the road is raised three to four feet above its previous height while the landings give a camel ride to the commuters. Also, the uneven roads at major squares slow down the movement of traffic on the busy highway.
Second and the most common problem that will be a permanent feature for citizens, the gushing of rain water into nearby houses and shops due to increase in height of the road, post-concretisation. Many of properties on Wardha Road are about 50 years old and the plinth height matched with that of the prevailing road. But given the thickness of the new road, it is almost 2 feet, citizens would be the losers as can be seen all along the stretch.
A travel on the new cement road reveals that entire stretch from Khapri to Sitabuldi is going to face perennial problem of dealing with heavy inflow of water whenever the rains lashed the city. This is due to mismatch in height of internal roads with that of Wardha Road and one got to see its effects at many localities in city post-concretisation.
Arun Shendre, whose house and flour mill is located near Sai Mandir, told The Hitavada, that he already faced water-logging during the rainy season when water gushed into his property. “My machines were submerged knee-deep in water. This led to heavy losses as there was no option but to keep the mill closed. The issue is now going to be permanent, unless off course authorities ensure there was proper drainage of rain water to ensure low-lying properties are not flooded,” said Shendre with pain on his face. Similar problem was faced by Dhananjay Nitnaware and Vaibhav Asadkar who have their houses located opposite Sonegaon Police Station.
Dhananjay, who owns a travel agency, said, “Dust billowing from the road surface is ruining my cars and our quality of life has degraded after concretisation work started.”
Dhananjay’s neighbour Vaibhav Asadkar has a frightening ordeal to narrate. “Boundary wall on my property was five feet above the ground. Post-construction of the new road, the wall does not exist. It gave in due to heavy flow of rain water this monsoon. This resulted in flooding of the premises. Cars parked inside were floating and entire family had to shift to the first floor for rest of the season,” said Vaibhav. Many of the families living in the area have abandoned their properties due to the neglect and unplanned construction of Wardha Road.
Located, near Sonegaon Police Station is a canal for the rain water to ensure interrupted flow of the storm water. While the canal beside the police station still exist, the canal on the otherside, however, is nowhere to be seen.
According to the citizens, the canal has disappeared right underneath the eyes of the authorities but no one is bothered.
“Since the road work is still incomplete, they are planning to build a ramp to let cars get in the shop. Water-logging is already a problem and this new cement road will only add to our worries,” said Dinesh Borkar of Ajmera tyres.
The ongoing work pattern is also a big cause of worry as at many stretches while the cement road is complete, the i-blocks are still not affixed by the contractor. At many corners the uneven surface is cause of worry and many a time two wheelers riders have lost balance and suffered fractures.
Since the road is identified for concretisation, NHAI officials have maintain status quo and taken little pains to repair the potholes that poses grave danger to safety of road users.
The residents living here are astounded as how a premium road like this can be neglected. All VIP’s and VVIP’s travel on this road as airport in located on it. The agony and astonishment seem more profound, since the Union Minister for Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari himself commutes on this road on regular basis. Moreover, the minister is seen sitting at the front of his vehicle besides the driver. In one of his public meetings, the Minister had claimed
to have made Nagpur pothole-free.
