Asphalt supply eases: NMC begins repairs on key city roads

Nashik: With the availability of asphalt improving, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has resumed repairs of deteriorated and accident-prone stretches on key city roads ahead of monsoon.On Sunday, the civic body’s public works department (PWD) undertook patchwork on the Middle Ring Road between Tarwala Nagar and Amrutdham junctions, a crucial Kumbh corridor. “Repair works have also been initiated in the Panchavati and Nashik Road divisions,” a civic official said.Road repairs had remained stalled for over a month owing to shortage of asphalt, triggered by disruptions in the supply of raw materials amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Civic officials said the situation has now eased to some extent, allowing asphalt production to resume partially.“With the supply of raw materials improving, asphalt production has started gradually. We have begun repairing the most damaged stretches, depending on availability,” the official said.Officials added that on Sunday, severely damaged portions on the Middle Ring Road were taken up for repair on priority.

“The worst stretch near Gunjal Baba Nagar was asphalted to ensure smoother and safer movement for motorists during the monsoon,” the official said.“The civic body is currently focusing on attending to the critical pothole-prone and damaged stretches in the Panchavati and Nashik Road divisions. Repairs in other parts of the city will be taken up in phases as asphalt supply stabilises,” the official added.Meanwhile, the municipal corporation has completed the work of laying ducts for seven utility services across most of the kumbh related roads.

Levelling of trenches dug for these utilities is under way, while pending works on some stretches are expected to be completed shortly.The official said that the civic body is developing 28 roads, covering a total length of around 150km, as part of Kumbh Mela preparations. Of these, nearly 60km of high-traffic roads are being upgraded using white-topping.The civic body has set a target to complete all 28 Kumbh road projects by March 2027. The projects are considered crucial for handling the expected surge in traffic during the mega religious event.While the Kumbh flag-hoisting ceremony is scheduled for Oct 31, 2026, the three major "Amrit Snan" will take place between Aug and Sept 2027, making timely road repairs and upgrades critical for traffic management.