The solid waste management department of Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started penalising builders and developers if the mud from construction sites gets onto the roads, causing inconvenience to motorists.
Solid waste management (SWM) director Dr Avesh Palod said the NMC was forced to take such an action against the builders and developers as the situation often turned grim near the construction sites leading to accidents.
“One of the construction companies has been slapped with a fine of Rs 25,000. We are not interested in penalising the builders and developers, but the rising number of complaints about the roads being flooded with slush from the construction sites, leading to health and safety problems, has forced the NMC to take the step,” Palod said.
He said the mud from construction sites sticks to the tires of trucks and mixers used at the sites. When such vehicles leave the construction sites, the mud and dirt gets deposited on the roads. Even a drizzle or light rain can make the matter worse, increasing the possibility of accidents. Besides, materials like plastic bags get stuck to this mud, further clocking the lids of stormwater drainage chambers.
“It is very difficult to ride two-wheelers near the RD Circle on the all-important ring road connecting the Untwadi Signal and Govind Nagar road. There are three construction sites and we have to literally risk our lives as the road gets slushy and sticky and there are chances of losing control of the motorcycle,” said Sunita Randive, a businesswoman residing at Rane Nagar. Similar is the case near a construction site in the Satpur MIDC area.
“We have to deploy manpower to remove dirt from the roads and use water pressure guns for the purpose. About 120 feet stretch of the road has been covered with the mud in the Satpur area,” a senior officer from the NMC said.
