The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) Rs 150 million Healthy Walkable Street project is set to miss its second extended deadline of March 16, 2025. The project aims to develop the 1.2km stretch along both sides of the road from Abhyankar Nagar Square to Kachipura Square, incorporating a pedestrian walkway, cycling track, plazas, seating arrangements, safety walls, and parking facilities. 

Currently, only 600 meters of the project, spanning from Abhyankar Nagar Square to Bajaj Nagar Square, is under construction. Progress was slow, prompting repeated interventions from municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari. During an inspection, Chaudhari expressed dissatisfaction with the sluggish pace and directed the contractor to clear the site of construction debris, maintain cleanliness, and ensure complete barricading along the road. Additionally, the commissioner instructed the project department to issue a show-cause notice to the contractor for delays. 

The project's first extended deadline ended on September 16, 2024. Following the commissioner's directives, NMC imposed a fine of Rs5,000 per day on the contractor for the delays. 

According to executive engineer (projects) Kalpana Patane, the contractor has made partial progress, completing 90% of the redevelopment of footpaths on the left-hand side from VNIT to Bajaj Nagar Square, and the right-hand side from Bajaj Nagar Square to Kachipura Square. However, work on other sections is yet to begin due to opposition from shopkeepers. 

Those owning shops along the route fear the redevelopment of footpaths will reduce road width, potentially affecting customer access. Furthermore, the stretch adjacent to Kachipura slum will be developed with low-cost solutions to address specific challenges. 

In addition to the footpaths, NMC plans to improve the geometry of three key intersections, including Abhyankar Nagar Square, Bajaj Nagar Square, and Kachipura Chowk. Work has already begun at Bajaj Nagar Square, which had developed into a saucer-like shape after tar roads were converted to cement concrete on all four side, but the square itself remained a tar road at a lower level. 

To address this, cobblestones will be used to align all the intersections with the road height, simultaneously reducing vehicle speeds. Redesigned traffic islands and consistent road widths at junctions are also part of the project. NMC officials remain optimistic about overcoming these hurdles but acknowledge the need for more effective coordination to meet the revised deadline. The contractor may be granted another extension as NMC remains intent on completing the project despite the delays.