Nashik Inc urges mayor & civic chief to fast‑track white‑topping of roads in industrial estates

Nashik: Industrial bodies in Nashik have renewed pressure on the city's political and administrative leadership, demanding immediate white-topping of all roads across the Satpur and Ambad industrial estates. The move comes amid increasing movement of heavy vehicles and rapidly deteriorating road conditions that industries said were disrupting logistics, damaging vehicles and hurting productivity.The demand gained momentum after a delegation from the Nashik Industries & Manufacturers' Association (NIMA) reached out to mayor Himgauri Aher and municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri at Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) headquarters recently. During the meeting, the delegation submitted a detailed memorandum urging that all roads within the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) zones of Satpur and Ambad — both under NMC jurisdiction — be upgraded to long-lasting white-topped concrete roads.Led by NIMA president Ashish Nahar, the delegation included vice-president Manish Rawal and general secretary Rajendra Ahire. They stressed that the two industrial estates served as the backbone of Nashik's economy, hosting thousands of manufacturing units and contributing significantly to employment and tax revenue for both state and central govts.After the meeting, Nahar said industries had struggled with poor road infrastructure for years despite repeated pleas. "We have requested the mayor and the municipal commissioner to prioritise white-topping of all industrial roads. The project is estimated to cost about Rs 1,000 crore. Both officials have assured us they will approach state govt for the required funds. A formal proposal will be sent to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and industries minister Uday Samant," he said.NIMA vice-president Manish Rawal highlighted the urgency, citing rising traffic across the industrial corridors. He said the 8km stretch from Garware Point to Papaya Nursery via XLO Point — linking Satpur MIDC and Ambad MIDC — was already being converted into a white-topped road at Rs 175 crore ahead of the Kumbh Mela. "Of the total 68km of internal roads in both estates, only 8km have been approved for white-topping. The remaining 60km need immediate concrete surfacing," Rawal said.In its memorandum, NIMA emphasised that Satpur and Ambad had been central to Nashik's industrial growth over the past four decades. The association warned that continued neglect of internal roads posed serious operational challenges. With heavy multi-axle trucks, container carriers and goods vehicles using these routes daily, the deteriorating road network was becoming a major impediment to business continuity, NIMA said.NIMA's preliminary assessment suggested that the estimated Rs 1,000-crore investment would be a sustainable, providing long-term solution. The association argued that white-topped roads would dramatically reduce maintenance costs, minimise delays and ensure seamless transportation of goods, thereby improving overall industrial efficiency.This is not the first time the issue has been raised formally. In July 2025, local MLA Seema Hiray had moved a calling-attention motion in the state assembly, highlighting the poor condition of these roads. Responding to the motion, minister of state for urban development Madhuri Misal had told the House that NMC had been instructed to prepare a detailed plan for white-topping roads in both industrial estates. Nearly eight months later, however, NMC has yet to produce the blueprint.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !