Nagpur: The construction of the Nagpur-Bhandara road is under intense scrutiny following allegations of financial mismanagement and substandard work. An intervention application submitted to the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has raised serious concerns regarding the road’s construction quality, revealing that the project, initially budgeted at ₹484 crore, was completed for just ₹250 crore.
This discrepancy has triggered accusations of financial improprieties and potential corruption in the project. The intervention, filed by Deepraj Ilamkar through counsel Himanshu Khedikar, accuses the construction company of breaching standards set by the Indian Road Congress and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The application is part of a broader Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing the deteriorating condition of highways in Vidarbha, including crucial routes connecting Nagpur to Amravati, Bhandara, and Umred. According to the petition, the road was built using substandard materials and methods, resulting in severe deterioration and safety hazards. The absence of proper foundational layers and inadequately constructed dividers further compromises road safety.
In addition to the construction issues, the PIL highlights problems with street lighting on the Nagpur-Bhandara road. It claims that despite the installation of 1,200 streetlights, many are non-functional, significantly increasing accident risks. The petition also questions the management of electricity bills, alleging that while the estimated monthly bill should be around ₹50 lakh, the actual amount is only ₹10 lakh. This discrepancy suggests potential irregularities in the handling of these assets. As the court considers these serious allegations, Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri have postponed the hearing until September 3. The growing concerns about the road’s quality and the alleged financial misconduct underline the urgent need for a thorough investigation and accountability in public infrastructure projects.
