The much-publicised Ajni underpass project, once projected as one of the city’s most hassle-free infrastructure works due to the absence of land acquisition issues, is now facing delays that could push its completion from the targeted December 2026 deadline to March 2027. The Rs 100-crore-plus project, being executed by the Public Works Department (PWD), has encountered an unexpected obstacle in the form of tree-felling permissions and the requirement to identify land for compensatory plantation.

 

The delay has emerged despite the project being conceived as a relatively straightforward solution to ease chronic congestion at the busy Ajni railway crossing. According to PWD officials, clearance is required for the removal of a limited number of trees along the FCI Road stretch and near TB Ward Square, where construction activities are linked to the underpass alignment and associated road works. An application seeking permission has already been submitted to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Officials said the department is simultaneously conducting a survey to identify suitable land for compensatory plantation, a mandatory prerequisite before tree-cutting approval can be granted. While maintaining that the process is progressing alongside excavation and structural work, they acknowledged that the pending permissions could affect the overall completion schedule.

 

 

The underpass is being constructed to provide uninterrupted connectivity between Ajni and the southern parts of the city while reducing dependence on the frequently congested railway crossing. The project is expected to significantly improve traffic movement for commuters travelling between Wardha Road, Ajni, Congress Nagar, Medical Square and adjoining areas. In a move aimed at reducing inconvenience during construction, authorities recently opened a new traffic pathway for motorists travelling from the FCI godowns side towards Kriplani Square. The diversion is expected to ease movement around the work zone and reduce bottlenecks during peak hours.

 

 

One of the major concerns associated with underpass projects in Nagpur has traditionally been waterlogging during the monsoon. However, PWD officials expressed confidence that the Ajni underpass will not face such problems. According to the department, the site enjoys a favourable topographical profile that will allow rainwater to drain naturally through gravity. Officials said special attention has been given to drainage design, and protective shades will be installed at the entry and exit points to minimise rainwater flow into the underpass.

 

 

Despite assurances from the department, the revised timeline is likely to disappoint thousands of commuters who had hoped for relief by the end of this year. With traffic volumes steadily rising in the Ajni corridor, any further delay could prolong congestion and inconvenience in one of Nagpur’s busiest transport hubs. For now, the project’s progress hinges on regulatory clearances, making the tree-felling approval process the latest bottleneck in a project originally expected to avoid such hurdles altogether.