Beautiful RuB, RoB in Manish Nagar can be used soon, but with care
| Date :21-Oct-2020 |
Staff Reporter :
Nagpurians may have to put up with restricted use of Manish Nagar RoB and RuB as safety concerns have emerged owing to tight rope walk done while designing the project. Already, Maha Metro officials have developed cold feet on operating road traffic on either side on Manish Nagar RoB and also through the RuB.
Though putting up a brave front, Metro officials said the one way traffic measures are temporary in nature, doubts remains since compromise was made in construction of the twin projects to accommodate concerns of residents of Ujjwal Nagar. Now given the sharp reduction in available width and sharp curvature in tunnel, Maha Metro has decided to open the RoB and RuB by December, albeit with riders. Anil Kokate, General Manager (Administration), Maha Metro, defended the decision saying they need to observe traffic flow and post analysis and if need arises then railway overbridge (RoB) and railway under bridge (RuB) can be used to and fro movement from Manish Nagar and suburbs of South of city.
On Tuesday a visit was arranged for mediapersons to brief about the project, it also involves a fly-over on Wardha Road, form Ajni Square till Sonegaon Police Station, a 3.14 kms route, with 305 metre ramps on either side. The fly-over is an unique arrangement as on top of that is viaduct for metro rail services and this is first of its kind multi-layered arrangement for commuting in busy road. Wardha Road is part of National Highway no 7. Public dedication of the project, RoB/RuB and fly-over would be done during the month of December as small works remains to be finished. While RuB is almost complete, the electrical arrangements and putting in place water drainage system remains to be completed, said the officials of NCC Ltd., that is executing the projects.
Tarring work is in progress on RoB and also affixing of LED lights on Bowstring girder placed atop the tracks. The RoB integrated in Y-shaped near Ujjwal Nagar junction on Wardha Road with the double decker fly-over. Since two separate routes are constructed it was clear that planners and designers meant to operate the fly-over for catering to two way movement. However, Kokate at first alignment was quite different but was subsequently changed to save 17 houses in Ujjwal Nagar leading to compromise on width. So in first leg the RoB is to be utilised for moving to airport from Manish Nagar, while RuB would connect Wardha Road from below to areas beyond the tracks. Maha Metro said they are just an executing agency since the work is of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) who would ultimately take the decision on two way traffic movement. RuB Dangerous: In fact going by the signs put up by contractor, the Manish RuB stands reduced to joy ride instead of promising a rapid transport system as was proclaimed during construction phase.
There would be speed restriction of 20 km/hr while neogitating the tunnel that has one sharp S curve right below Ujjwal Nagar Ground and further when one heads for section under the tracks. Basically blind spots got created in a bid to save the 17 houses above whose acquisition would have blown a hole in State Exchequer. Though to enhance safety inside the tunnel, there is proposal to affix mirrors that would provide clear cut direction to users about road ahead. However the speed limit of 20 kms would be a damper for the road users plus one needs to be extra alert.