Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit has sparked a whirlwind of infrastructure upgrades in Nagpur, turning long-neglected roads and footpaths into pristine thoroughfares almost overnight. The otherwise sluggish civic machinery has suddenly shifted into overdrive, with multiple agencies rushing to give key routes and locations a quick facelift before the PM’s arrival.
Modi is scheduled to visit the city on March 31, coinciding with Gudi Padwa. During his day-long tour, he will visit Smruti Mandir at Reshimbagh, Deekshabhoomi at Bajaj Nagar, and lay the
foundation stone of the new premises of Madhav Netralaya at Hingna. His itinerary also includes a helicopter ride to Solar Industries, making it a logistically extensive visit. The convoy route — stretching from the airport along Wardha Road, through Reshimbagh, Deekshabhoomi, and Hingna — is now a hive of activity. Roads that remained in disrepair for months are suddenly being patched up.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), state public works department (PWD), Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), and other govt bodies have deployed teams to carry out repairs, repaint medians, and clear footpaths. According to NMC sources, patchwork is being done along the stretches from Shivangaon Phata to Civil Lines, Baidyanath Square to Humpyard, and Baidyanath Square to Reshimbagh. “Apart from this, we are also cleaning and clearing footpaths along with painting medians. We have also deployed road sweeping machines to clean roads,” said an NMC official.
Similarly, the PWD is tackling works along the internal ring road and other roads expected to be part of the PM’s convoy route. The NIT, meanwhile, is carrying out painting inside Deekshabhoomi and patching internal roads. Mostly, the roads are under the NMC, but we are also levelling the Reshimbagh ground as a precaution,” said an NIT source. The sudden push for beautification, however, comes with its own set of challenges. Several roads leading to Reshimbagh are in poor condition due to ongoing infrastructure projects. Authorities are now scrambling to
clear the maze of partially dug-up lanes before the PM’s visit.
Traffic officials said they suggested that the PM’s convoy should not pass through Ashok Chowk, as it is in poor condition because of ongoing infrastructure works. “The Special Protection Group (SPG) has also given us the same directions about avoiding Ashok Chowk for PM’s convoy,” said a traffic department official. For residents along the convoy route, the sudden flurry of activity is a welcome change, albeit a fleeting one. Locals, who have grown accustomed to potholed roads and broken footpaths, are surprised at the speed of the makeover. “We’ve been complaining about the poor condition of these roads for months, but it took a VVIP visit for the authorities to act,” said a commuter near Reshimbagh. While the cosmetic facelift is likely to leave a positive impression on the PM, citizens hope the momentum continues beyond the high-profile visit. For now, at least, the select pockets of Nagpur set to host the PM are getting a rare and much-needed infrastructural facelift while other areas still remain neglected.
Key Points: PM Modi’s Visit: PM Narendra Modi will visit Nagpur on March 31, coinciding with Gudi Padwa Itinerary: Visit to Smruti Mandir, Deekshabhoomi, laying foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya at Hingna, Solar Industries at Bazargaon Infrastructure Overhaul: NMC, PWD, and NIT repairing roads, repainting medians, and clearing footpaths along convoy route.