The height barrier at the Ujwal Nagar–Manish Nagar underpass collapsed on Wednesday evening, narrowly missing passing vehicles and raising serious concern about the structure’s maintenance and the construction quality. The metal frame designed to prevent oversized vehicles from entering the low-clearance railway underpass, gave way slowly after its welding eroded over time, eventually dropping across the road. According to Prof Prashant Kadu, a citizen who witnessed the collapse, “The welding gradually eroded which eventually led to the collapse of this almost half a ton height barrier.” Motorists were forced to brake suddenly while others swerved around the fallen beam. It was sheer luck that no one was injured in the fall of the heavy iron beam.

 

A mini-truck and several cars had just passed through moments before the collapse, avoiding what could have been a fatal accident. Witnesses said the barrier had been visibly weakening, yet no preventive repair work was undertaken. The incident has reignited familiar tensions over who is responsible for maintaining the underpass. MahaMetro officials stated that the structure had already been handed over to the NMC, making the NMC solely responsible for its maintenance. Residents of Manish Nagar, Ujwal Nagar, Somalwada and Besa-Beltarodi expressed frustration over negligence despite issues such as flooding, congestion and deteriorating infrastructure. As of late evening, authorities have shut down the Underpass and barricaded the entry and exit to restrict vehicular traffic.

 

Citizens are demanding immediate repairs, strict monitoring of vehicle heights and audit of the underpass, warning that the next failure may not end without casualties. While Maha Metro maintains that its NMC that is responsible for maintenance of the under pass, NMC however claimed that the handing over-taking over process is still on and not complete. Ravindra Bundhade, Executive Engineer, Laxmi Nagar Zone, was directed by senior officials to visit the spot and take corrective action.