Continued delay in opening of the Rs 998-crore Indora-Dighori Flyover is prolonging the daily ordeal of thousands of commuters and residents, with traffic bottlenecks around Daga Hospital and the Mahal stretch showing little sign of ease. As announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the flyover was expected to be opened to traffic by August 1. However, pending construction of the ramps near Daga Hospital and delayed completion of works over the railway level crossing at Panchpaoli have pushed the project beyond the deadline. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is yet to announce a revised date for commissioning the elevated corridor.

 

 

The worst-hit stretch remains outside Daga Memorial Women’s Hospital, where construction activity has narrowed the available carriageway. The traffic frequently comes to a standstill during morning and evening peak hours, delaying patients, visitors and emergency vehicles. Although the contractor has created a small access opening near the hospital gate to facilitate entry, commuters say it is inadequate when traffic builds up. “An ambulance has no room to move when vehicles are stuck bumper-to-bumper. Every minute counts for patients, but the congestion leaves everyone helpless,” said Rafiq Sheikh, an auto-rickshaw driver who regularly ferries patients to the hospital. Another commuter, Priyanka Wankhede, said she now leaves home 20 minutes early to avoid getting trapped near the hospital. “The flyover was supposed to solve this problem.

 

Instead, the unfinished work has made the situation worse,” she said. The impact is also being felt further along the corridor between Agrasen Square and Ashok Square in Mahal. The reconstruction of the wide central divider on the stretch has reduced the effective carriageway, while encroached footpaths force pedestrians onto the road, further slowing traffic. “Footpaths are occupied by roadside vendors, leaving people with no option but to walk on the road. Vehicles slow down to avoid pedestrians, and the entire stretch becomes chaotic,” said Rahul Gautam, a local resident. Shopkeepers and motorists say the prolonged construction has also affected business activity, with many customers avoiding the area because of persistent congestion.

 

“Customers avoid stopping here because of the constant traffic jams and lack of parking space. Many simply turn after seeing the congestion. Business has dropped noticeably since construction dragged on,” said a business owner, who runs a shop in the area. Indora-Dighori Flyover is one of city’s largest urban infrastructure projects and is expected to significantly improve connectivity between North, East and Central Nagpur once operational. Until the remaining structural works, ramp construction and finishing activities are completed, however, commuters will continue to bear the cost of the delay through longer travel times, traffic snarls and increasing frustration.