The first instalment of Rs 35.86 crore for development works in Nashik under JNNURM has been released, setting the stage for an infrastructure revolution and a real estate boom, reports Asmita Bharrati

Now here’s yet another incentive to buy a home in Nashik. Not only does the city provides a wide range of housing options with all the latest modern amenities at rates that are still linked to value, but the infrastructure is also getting a major boost. The first round of funding for the City Development Plan prepared under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has been released, which means that the stage is now all set for an infrastructure revolution. Now we all know that infrastructure holds the key to any city’s growth, so this will surely provide a major boost to property development in Nashik as well. With the post election formalities and procedures out of the way, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is gearing up to resume focus on infrastructure development. Backed by the Rs 3,082 crore sanctioned under the JNNURM, the civic body is expected to kick-start a process that will completely transform Nashik and put it firmly on the fast track to progress. From this, Rs 1796 crore shall be considered during the first phase (2006 – 2016), while the remaining Rs. 1500 crore shall be utilised after 2016. The financial year-end proved beneficial for Nashik as Rs 35.86 crore have already been released. These have been allocated for several projects. Rs 10.2 crore have been sanctioned for housing the poor in the first phase and 29 slums were surveyed for the same. “We have four vacant spaces in our possession, one near Pathardi Gaon, second behind Rajiv Nagar, third at Adgaon and another at Mhasrul. The work of constructing proper houses for slum dwellers shall begin here now,” informs AL Umale, city engineer, NMC. Rs 16.5 crore have been earmarked for water supply and solid waste management (tenders are in the final stage) and Rs 9.07 crore for drainage. As per the procedure, the progress report of all these works is expected in the next three months, which may call for reforms. This would then be followed by a further inflow of funds as per the detailed proposals. “On the basis of analysis on various grounds, it is estimated that the emerging metropolitan city population will reach 37.50 lakh by 2031. New suburban and peripheral areas would be developed and the ‘no development agricultural zones’ in the city at present would be converted into developable zones. New work centres and a hierarchy of road networks with new traffic corridors would emerge,” revealed Vilas Thakur, Municipal Commissioner, Nashik. Thakur further added that basic service infrastructure like water supply, sewerage storm water drains and solid waste management will be planned and developed. Basic social amenities at neighbourhood levels will have to be planned in addition to city sub centres, which will also have to be developed. Special attention in planning and administration for the urban poor and informal sector will have to be taken care of in an effective manner for which special programs and policies will have to be adopted. Clearly, Nashik is going to be one of the most happening metros in the years to follow and this will definitely propel its property market to new heights. So this is the perfect opportunity to book flats and bungalows, before the property prices ascend to an entirely different, higher level. Those who invest at the current affordable rates will definitely reap the benefits in future.

DEDICATED BUS LANES UNDER BRTS

NMC plans to have dedicated bus lanes under Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) across four routes. The estimated cost for the implementation of the system including lane roads, bus stops, and other infrastructure feeder roads is about Rs 400 crore. The routes are: Trimbak Road, Gangapur Road, Dindori Road and Trimbak-link Road to Garware. BRTS is part of the integrated master plan to solve the traffic problems of the city and is considered to be a low cost solution. Herein buses shall operate in lanes reserved for their exclusive use. As per the system, the inner two lanes shall be dedicated to the bus. The other private vehicles shall commute on the outer lanes. There could also be cycle tracks, two wheeler zones, etc.

MASTER PLAN FOR TRAFFIC
In order to permanently solve the traffic woes of the city, considering the growth of the city in the next 25 years, NMC has prepared a Master Plan with the help of Consulting Engineering Services of Mumbai. As per the draft of the Plan, there is going to be a specific and independent management for the internal as well external vehicular traffic of the city. There are proposals to build about eight flyovers at Mumbai Naka, Dwarka, Pathardi Phata, Adgaon Naka, Shalimar, MICO Circle & ABB Circle and other places. Moreover, there is a proposal to develop subways at Ashok Stambh, Nimani, Big Bazaar, Aurangabad Naka, Rane Nagar, Lekha Nagar, Old Agra Road, etc.

There is a suggestion to erect signal for pedestrians at Mumbai Naka. While one of the most important highlights of the Draft is to divert the flow of heavy vehicles from the outskirts of the city, as 81 per cent of the traffic flowing from the city comprises heavy vehicles. There is a plan to raise multi-storeyed parking facilities at Dwarka, College Road, CBS and Raviwar Peth. NMC would build some on its own, while some on (Build Operate Transfer) BOT basis.

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