According to WPB, the recent operationalization of Nagpur’s upgraded hot-mix plant has stirred debate following the public works department’s decision to outsource the asphalting of a road in Shanti Niketan Colony, located within the Laxmi Nagar zone. The move has drawn public criticism, particularly from residents who had anticipated that the newly revamped plant would be utilized for internal road repairs that have long been in poor condition.
The Hingna-based plant, equipped with a modern Light Diesel Oil (LDO)-powered counterflow drum mix system, was recently certified as fully functional by a committee of municipal engineers. Following a thorough inspection, all critical components — including bitumen tanks, cold feeders, control systems, and the thermodrum — were verified to meet technical standards. A successful test run produced bituminous mix of acceptable quality, with only a minor mechanical noise issue that was promptly resolved.
Despite this, the public works department proceeded to float a tender worth approximately ₹24.73 lakh for external asphalt work. This has sparked questions about the efficiency and accountability of the municipal administration, especially in light of the city’s increasing infrastructure complaints. Local stakeholders argue that such decisions undermine the purpose of investing in in-house facilities aimed at improving cost-effectiveness and transparency.
A municipal official pointed out that a similar project in the past — a 700-meter stretch in Manish Nagar — was completed for ₹35 lakh using the older hot-mix plant, whereas outsourcing it would have cost more than ₹1.5 crore. The upgraded plant was intended to bridge this cost gap and ensure better quality control in public works, particularly as the city reportedly spends over ₹95 crore annually on outsourced road projects, compared to only ₹5 crore on internal operations.
In preparation for seasonal rains, the hot-mix department recently conducted a survey across ten municipal zones and identified nearly 500 potholes and over 150 deteriorated roads. However, zonal offices have yet to submit the detailed lists of damaged roads, hindering coordinated repair efforts.
This disconnect between available in-house capabilities and continued reliance on external contractors continues to raise concerns about municipal planning and the effective utilization of public resources.
By Bitumenmag
Bitumen, Asphalt, Plant
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