The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) is poised to petition the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for ₹1,000 crore, a critical investment aimed at completing the service road network for four recently widened arterial routes. This ambitious funding request, slated for discussion with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on July 7, is not merely about road construction; it represents a strategic urban development move. It seeks to bolster the city’s economic future, enhance urban mobility, and lay the groundwork for a more sustainable, gender-neutral, and equitable urban environment, as the city braces for significant industrial and tourism growth.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, strategically positioned and known for its historical and tourist appeal, is on the cusp of a major economic expansion with the anticipated advent of new industries in the Shendra MIDC and Bidkin DMIC areas. Recognising this burgeoning potential, the CSMC has proactively widened key thoroughfares – Beed Bypass, Jalna Road, Paithan Road, and Padegaon–Mitmita Road – to an impressive 300 feet. While the main carriageways are completed, the absence of corresponding service roads presents a critical bottleneck. These parallel routes are indispensable for managing local traffic, ensuring safety for diverse road users, and facilitating access to commercial and residential establishments, thereby preventing congestion on the main arteries.
The lack of contiguous service roads directly impedes the vision of seamless urban mobility. Without them, local traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists are often forced onto high-speed main roads, creating significant safety hazards and reducing overall road efficiency. From a sustainability perspective, this inefficient traffic flow contributes to increased fuel consumption, higher vehicular emissions, and greater noise pollution within urban corridors. Investing in well-designed service roads, complete with pedestrian walkways and dedicated cycling paths where feasible, would significantly reduce the city’s carbon footprint by promoting multimodal transport options and smoother vehicular movement, crucial for achieving net-zero goals.
Furthermore, the construction of these vital service roads holds significant implications for gender neutrality and social equity. Well-lit and properly maintained service roads provide safer pathways for pedestrians, including women, children, and the elderly, who often rely on non-motorised transport for daily commutes to work, schools, and local markets. Improved accessibility ensures that all citizens can navigate the urban landscape with greater ease and security, reducing vulnerability and promoting independent mobility. This infrastructure upgrade contributes directly to building cities that are inclusive, where public spaces and transportation networks cater to the needs of every segment of the population, fostering a sense of belonging and safety.
Municipal Administrator G Sreekanth’s initiative to engage with NHAI for this substantial financial assistance highlights a pragmatic approach to overcoming fiscal constraints. The civic body’s detailed presentation in Delhi will underscore the long-term economic and social dividends of this investment, positioning it as a fundamental component of the city’s future resilience. Successful acquisition of this funding would enable the city to not only complete critical infrastructure but also unlock new avenues for planned urban development, ensuring that new industrial zones and tourist attractions are seamlessly integrated into a functional and aesthetically appealing urban fabric.
As Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar evolves into a major economic and tourism hub, the strategic development of its road network is paramount. The ₹1,000 crore sought from NHAI is an investment not merely in asphalt and concrete, but in enhancing urban liveability, fostering sustainable growth, and ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all its citizens. A well-planned road infrastructure, complete with essential service roads, forms the backbone of a truly smart, green, and inclusive city, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the coming decades.
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