NMC allocates Rs 54 crore to fix road potholes ahead of monsoon

Nashik: The Nashik Municipal Corporation has earmarked Rs 54 crore for road repair works as part of its monsoon preparedness plan to ensure timely maintenance and minimise inconvenience for citizens.The civic body's general body recently approved proposals to repair both tar and macadamised roads across the city. These proposals cover repair works in all 31 municipal wards throughout the monsoon and, as needed, during the next financial year. Tenders are likely to be floated by month-end for the appointment of contractors.In addition to road repairs, selected contractors will be responsible for supplying essential construction materials, including macadam, murum and tar, as well as providing the machinery required for the work. "Finalising contractors in advance will enable Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to fix pothole seamlessly throughout 2026-27. Contractors will be obligated to respond to pothole complaints during the entire financial year," a civic official said.Last year's early onset of monsoon, from May 6 through mid-Oct, left no window for pre-monsoon activities like clearing nullahs, cleaning stormwater drains and carrying out other preparatory works. Continuous rainfall further deteriorated road conditions, forcing the civic body to undertake temporary repairs using granular sub-base (GSB) material. Due to persistent rain, the public works department had to refill the same potholes multiple times, as tar-laying was not feasible.Officials said the corporation planned to restore roads excavated by MNGL and other utility agencies over the next two months, April and May. Contractors for this work have already been appointed through tenders, and work orders have been issued.Nashik has approximately 2,400km of roads, comprising around 1,650km of tar, 350km of concrete and nearly 400km of macadamised.