Seminary Hills Road in Ruins: Too Many Agencies, No Accountability

Nagpur: The jurisdiction of multiple agencies over Nagpur roads is impacting road maintenance majorly. Currently, city roads fall under the jurisdiction of five bodies; Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), state public works department (PWD), Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), MahaMetro and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Barring NMC, none of the agencies is taking proactive measures to ensure a smooth drive for city motorists. The result is chaos, blame-shifting, and neglected stretches across the city.One glaring example is the approach road to Sri Balaji and Sri Karthikeya Temple near Income Tax Colony in Seminary Hills, which has now deteriorated into a cracked, uneven and potholed stretch. For those who use it daily — from elderly devotees visiting the temple to children cycling to nearby schools, the commute has turned into a risky ordeal."It's like riding on a battlefield. Every bump sends a sharp pain through my back," said Rajesh Iyer, a 68-year-old retired bank officer. Another devotee, Suresh Subramanian, 71, recalled how the potholes become death traps during rain. "Last week, I almost fell while avoiding one filled with muddy water. It's terrifying," he said.Parents are equally worried about their children's safety. "Our kids cycle to school every day. One slip on this broken road could lead to serious injuries. We've filed complaints, but nobody has responded," said Sunita Patil, a resident of Income Tax Colony.When TOI contacted officials, both NMC and PWD flatly denied responsibility. "This road is not under our jurisdiction," an NMC official from Dharampeth zone said. A PWD engineer also shrugged off responsibility, claiming, "We have not received any formal handover or proposal for maintenance of this stretch."The blame game has left residents fuming. "They just keep pointing fingers at each other while we suffer," said Meena Kurve, a 35-year-old homemaker. "We pay taxes, yet we have to risk our lives daily. Will it take a major accident for them to act?"With monsoon worsening the already hazardous condition, residents are demanding urgent repairs. "If the road isn't fixed soon, someone will get seriously injured," warned Iyer, echoing the sentiment of dozens of regular commuters.