PWD plans to spend 1,745cr on road network for Kumbh

Nashik: The Nashik unit of the Public Works Department (PWD) has outlined plans for construction and strengthening a road network of about 550-km around Nashik at a cost of Rs 1,745 crore as part of its preparation for Kumbh Mela in 2027. The proposal has now been submitted to the district collector. According to section engineer (PWD) Arundhati Sharma, "A primary assessment was made and presented to the district committee headed by district collector Jalaj Sharma. The committee will review the proposal and direct us about the inclusion and exclusion of works, based on which further steps will be taken."The proposal was presented to the committee so that it can then raise the demand with the state govt. Once sanctioned, the works can be carried out."Most of these roads are outer ring road around Nashik city so that vehicles do not have to enter Nashik city and yet reach their destinations. These roads connect Ghoti (on the Nashik-Mumbai highway) to Trimbakeshwar, Trimbakeshwar to Ramshej (Nashik-Peth Road), Ramshej to Dindori, Trimbakeshwar to Dindori, Dindori via airport to Ojhar (Nashik-Agra highway), Ojhar to Chandori (Nashik-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar road), Chandori to Shinde (Nashik-Pune highway), and Shinde to Ghoti. These require treatment for which funds are needed. A large section of these roads will be constructed using concrete for durability," another senior official said.The plans also include complete concreting and strengthening of the Nashik-Dindori Road, which is required for establishing good connection between Nashik and Dindori. This was constructed long ago on a BOT basis and is now in very bad shape. The road leads to the Saptashrungi temple at Vani near Dindori and will attract huge number of pilgrims during the Kumbh Mela.This 35-km road also connects to Gujarat via Saputara, and the PWD will need Rs 76 crore for land acquisition and Rs 135 crore for construction and widening works."The major works include Rs 211 crore for the Nashik-Dindori road, Rs 86 crore for the Trimbakeshwar-Dindori road, Rs 110 crore for concreting a four-lane from Janori to the Mumbai-Agra national highway via Nashik International Airport (10 km road), Rs 350 crore for concreting and development of the Nashik Trimbakeshwar road (17.5 km), and Rs 208 crore for the acquisition of land at various locations for the completion of the outer ring road around Nashik city, which is about 70 km in length," said the official."Taked is another well-known religious place in Igatpuri taluka that also attracts huge gatherings of people during Kumbh Mela and even otherwise. The PWD has therefore estimated Rs 70 crore for the development and concreting of 25 km of roads in Igatpuri taluka, which is known for very heavy rainfall," the official said.