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NMC protecting Cement Roads contractor?

Even a month after their were noticed, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has done nothing to repair the cracks that developed on a cement concrete road. The civic body appears to be protecting the contractor Unity Infra Projects Limited and project management consultant, since it is not acting against them even on the delay in completing the project.

TOI had highlighted the wide cracks on newly built concrete road between Jagnade Square and Reshimbagh Ground Square on June 13. The cracks had developed within a year of construction. Later, project's design consultant Lalit Kumar Jain gave a clean chit to quality of concrete and hinted that improper planning and survey led to the cracks.

NMC superintending engineer Prakash Urade told TOI more study was required to find the exact cause of cracks, and also to initiate measures to prevent such cracks in future. "Cement concrete is yet to be laid on other lane of the road towards Nag river. The plan is to lay interlocking blocks on the lane and allow traffic. The fate of the interlocking blocks will help us understand the reason for the cracks, take measures to repair the cracks and see what must be done to prevent further cracks," he said.

It is a strange decision to compare the strength of cement concrete road with interlocking blocks," sources added. Urade said no decision had been taken to initiate action against the contractor or consultant. "We have asked the contractor and project management consultant to reply on Jain's report. Further action will be taken only after receiving the replies," he said. Besides, now the arbitrator's order has also come in Unity's favour. This reduces any chance of action against the contractor in cracks case too if sources are to be believed.

NMC has been protecting the contractor and project management consultant despite long delays in completing works on road from Bajaj Nagar Square to Shankar Nagar too. Besides, no action is being taken for delay in completing remaining works on road from Jagnade Square to Ashok Square and execute works on remaining proposed roads. This time too Unity will be allowed to go scot free, sources said.

The civic body had issued work order to Unity on 06.06.2011, to complete concretising 30 roads covering 25.93km within 24 months. The deadline ended on 05.06.2013, with only around 4-5 km roads completed so far.

Source-On Request