NMC issues notices to 18 contractors over slow pace of Kumbh road works

Nashik: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has served notices to 18 contractors engaged in 28 major road projects linked to the preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, citing the sluggish pace of work and delays in meeting key milestones.The contractors have been instructed to accelerate execution in order to ensure completion of the projects by the March 2027 deadline. According to the civic body, delays in construction of underground utility ducts — a prerequisite for full-scale road works — have significantly impacted progress across most corridors.A civic official, while talking to TOI, said utility duct works were originally scheduled for completion by Feb 15, but despite multiple deadline extensions, most projects remain incomplete even as the final revised deadline of April 30 approaches. The delay in finishing utility ducts has, in turn, pushed back actual road construction activity."While road works have commenced on stretches where utility duct installation has been completed, the pace remains slow," the official said. Currently, 18 contractors are collectively handling 28 major road projects across Nashik city as part of infrastructure upgrades ahead of the mega religious event," the official said.Confirming the action, NMC city engineer Sanjay Agrawal told TOI that reminders and notices had been issued to all contractors concerned."As per the project schedule, around 25% of the work on all 28 roads should have been completed by April 30. However, on average, only about 15% progress has been achieved. We have therefore instructed all contractors to step up work and adhere strictly to timelines so that the projects are completed by March 2027," he said.Large-scale works are currently underway on major arterial roads carrying heavy traffic across the city. Around half of these roads are being upgraded with white-topping technology. The total estimated cost of developing the 28 roads stands at Rs1,270 crore.The scope of work includes underground utility shifting, road widening, concrete and asphalt surfacing, construction of medians and footpaths, and improvement of both internal and external road connectivity. As part of long-term planning, the NMC is implementing an integrated utility duct system along key corridors to prevent repeated road digging in the future."Once completed, all essential services such as water supply, sewerage lines, power cables and telecom networks will be routed through common underground utility ducts, reducing the need for frequent excavation for repairs or new connections," another civic official said.