Nagpur: The age-old debate of cement vs tar roads—which is more durable, cost-effective, and environmentally sound—has played out in full public view on the infamous Nagpur-Kamptee stretch. Ironically, both road types now coexist here—not as an engineering marvel, but as a desperate fix. Authorities have begun laying tar over the uneven and poorly constructed cement road, attempting to mask exposed iron bars and dangerously misaligned concrete slabs that have long plagued commuters.

This unusual combination is not the result of thoughtful infrastructure planning but of a series of failed constructions, inadequate maintenance, and recurring complaints from road users. The cement road, touted for its longevity, has deteriorated rapidly, with hazardous joints and gaping gaps that were never properly aligned. Now, black tar overlays are being used to temporarily smooth out the surface—an effort to prevent accidents that have become a near-daily occurrence on the stretch.

The condition is especially dangerous for two-wheeler riders, who frequently skid on the broken patches. With the ongoing Metro Phase-II construction further narrowing the already hazardous route and no visible traffic regulation in place, commuting between Nagpur and Kamptee has turned into a test of patience—and luck.

In several sections, poorly executed expansion joints and visible steel bars poke through the cement surface. The gaps are not standard design features but the result of botched execution. Even previous attempts to patch the road using cement slurry have only worsened the situation, creating uneven surfaces that cause riders to lose control.

To make matters worse, the monsoon has turned the road into a slippery mess, with mud from construction zones spilling onto the main carriageway. While hurried repairs are typically undertaken during VIP visits, everyday commuters are forced to fend for themselves.

With tar now being layered over a failing cement base, the stretch has become a symbol of infrastructural irony—where two technologies, often compared for their superiority, are now being used together to cover up the consequences of poor governance and zero accountability.