nashik, May 13; Notwithstanding the announcement made by State Public Works Minister Nitin Gadkari in Nashik on May 7 that the work on the ambitious Mumbai-Nashik expressway would start by December this year, the reality is altogether a different story. The government is yet to initiate the procedure of acquiring land and the route of the new expressway is likely to trigger off disputes.

According to the survey carried out by M/S Wilber Smith Associates Inc USA and Consulting Engineering Services (I) Pvt Ltd in 1994, the 100 m wide (with 15 m margin on either side) expressway stretching over 200 km would cost around Rs 2,100 crore. The proposed route is under consideration of the State government which has decided to construct it through privatisation.

The expressway is to break off from the existing Mumbai-Agra national highway at Wadi Varhe and rejoin it near Adgaon, a deviation of about 40 km. The surveyors have given four options: 1. Wadi Varhe -- Rajur Bahula -- Ame Bahula -- Gaulane -- Pathardi -- Ambedkar Nagar -- Takli -- Adgaon; 2. Adi Varhe -- Talegaon -- Mahirvani -- Gangapur -- Yeshwant Nagar-Matori; 3. Wadi Varhe -- Ambe Bahule -- Gaulane -- Vadner -- Vihitgaon -- Palase -- Chehadi -- ,Pimpri Sayyed; and 4. Wadi Varhe -- Ambe Bahula --Vadner -- Vihitgaon -- Deolali -- Nashik Road -- Madasangvi -- Vinchur Gawli.

Of these the routes proposed to pass through Ambe Bahula, Gaulane have been objected to by the School of Artillery as they pass through their firing ranges.

Besides, two villages (Patardi and Wadala) are likely to be displaced, besides several structures and reserved areas in the Nashik Municipal Corporation area.

Moreover, three out of the four routes would intersect three major highways (Mumbai-Agra, Nashik-Pune and Nashik Aurangabad) and 29 city roads in the NMC area. The plans were apparently drawn by the surveyors without taking into account the recently approved development plan of the NMC. The route if approved would require the construction of about 30 flyovers at the intersections. The fourth route (Wadi Varhe-Jategaon-Matori), on the other hand passes through agricultural lands.The Wadi Varhe-Adgaon diversion near Nashik would be the most difficult patch for the proposed expressway, the others being the Thane-Igatpuri section and the Igatpuri-Wadi Varhe section where it would pass through hilly tribal region.

While passing through Nashik city, the proposed expressway would pass through existing and proposed residential areas and land reserved by the NMC for public purposes. A delegation of the Promotors and Builders Association of India have met Gadkari and submitted a memorandum, urging the government to reconsider the route of the proposed expressway. Attempts are also being made by politicians, whose lands are likely to be a acquired, to obtain a share in the amenities (like petrol pumps and shops) along the expressway or developmental rights in the city. Hence, the minister's announcement about the commencement of the work by December this year, is unlikely to materialise.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.