A late decision to connect the under-construction flyovers at Manewada Square and Mhalgi Nagar Square has delayed one of South Nagpur’s key infrastructure projects, prolonging the hardships of thousands of daily commuters. The foundation stone for two separate flyovers was laid in August 2024, with both projects scheduled for completion within 24 months. However, a recent decision by the authorities to merge them into a single 2.5-km-long flyover has altered the original design and pushed back the completion timeline. The project is now unlikely to be completed before the next Winter Session of the State Legislature. The flyovers are being executed under the State Public Works Department’s (PWD) World Bank Division. The first flyover spans the busy Manewada Square, while the second begins near Besa Power Station, passes through Mhalgi Nagar Square and descends before Hudkeshwar Police Station. The two structures were originally awarded to separate contractors.

 

According to sources, South Nagpur MLA Mohan Mate proposed linking the two flyovers to improve traffic flow. Acting on the suggestion, the Government approved the plan a few months ago. Executive Engineer Krusha Gharde of the PWD’s World Bank Division said, nearly 60 per cent of the work has been completed, while the remaining 40 per cent is expected to take another four to six months. He attributed the delay to the complexities involved in executing a large infrastructure project. However, officials and residents believe, the primary reason for the delay is the late decision to connect the two flyovers. Had the decision been taken at the planning stage, contractors could have incorporated the revised design from the beginning. Both contractors have already completed substantial portions of their respective flyovers, but nearly one kilometre between the two structures remains without an elevated section. To bridge this gap, the design has been revised and the additional stretch has been divided between the two contractors, requiring fresh engineering work and further construction.

 

Meanwhile, the ongoing work continues to inconvenience commuters. Carriageways have narrowed on both sides of the project, leading to frequent traffic congestion and accidents, particularly, at Manewada Square, Mhalgi Nagar Square and Uday Nagar Square. The revised timeline has also raised doubts among residents. Many question whether the remaining work—including construction, road levelling and restoration beneath the flyover—can realistically be completed within the projected four to six months when only 60 per cent of the project has been finished in nearly two years. Several residents also question whether a flyover alone is the right solution for traffic congestion at the two junctions.

 

They point out that the approach roads are already wide, equipped with central dividers and traffic signals, and argue that poor traffic discipline and inadequate enforcement are the real causes of congestion. “Increasing vehicle numbers are certainly a challenge, but flyovers alone cannot solve the problem. Better traffic management, strict enforcement of traffic rules and deployment of traffic police during peak hours are equally important,” said local residents. Residents allege that, in the absence of regular traffic police, many motorists violate traffic signals, resulting in chaotic movement and frequent accidents. They also stress that advance information about road diversions and closures would help reduce inconvenience during construction. Commuters further point out that several flyovers in Nagpur have failed to eliminate congestion on the service roads beneath them. They fear the Manewada-Mhalgi Nagar flyover may face similar challenges unless effective traffic management accompanies the infrastructure upgrade.