THE much-awaited IndoraDighori flyover witnessed scenes of celebration and chaos on the very first day of operation as thousands of citizens thronged the newly opened corridor for a joyride, triggering traffic congestion at several points along the 8.9-km-long structure. The Rs 998 crore flyover, inaugurated on Saturday by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has been one of city’s most anticipated infrastructure projects. After months of repeated postponements despite the structure being substantially ready, citizens wasted little time in experiencing what promises to be a faster commute between Indora and Dighori.

 

The overwhelming response, however, turned parts of the flyover into virtual bottlenecks. The elevated rotary at Ashok Square emerged as the biggest congestion point as a steady stream of cars and two-wheelers converged from five directions. The traffic was crawling for long stretches around the rotary as motorists slowed down to take in the new structure. The commuters using the flyover experienced similar traffic congestion on Sunday evening as well. It has been observed that the major cause behind the recurring congestion is that the flyover has become an impromptu selfie destination. Several commuters stopped their vehicles, particularly near the Ashok Stambh at the Ashok Square rotary, to click photographs and videos.

 

The resulting interruptions further slowed traffic movement and added to the congestion. Vehicular movement was also significantly higher than usual owing to the festive season. Large number of devotees travelling towards Jaripatka to visit Ganesh pandals used the new flyover, adding to the already heavy traffic load on the corridor. Commuters also reported confusion over inadequate signage at key locations. The ramps near Daga Memorial Women’s Hospital became a particular point of concern, with many motorists unsure whether the facilities were meant only for exiting the flyover or could also be used as entry ramps. In the absence of clear directional signs and ‘No Entry’ boards, several motorists were seen attempting to climb the ramps, only to find themselves facing vehicles descending from the flyover.

 

The situation created confusion and raised safety concerns, especially during peak traffic hours. A similar problem was observed at the Ashok Square rotary, where motorists unfamiliar with the area struggled to identify which ramp led to which destination. Although some directional signs had been installed, several were partially obscured by political hoardings erected ahead of the inauguration programme. While the opening-day rush reflected the public enthusiasm surrounding the landmark project, the traffic snarls and confusion highlighted the urgent need for clear signage, better traffic management and enforcement measures before regular traffic volumes stabilise on the city’s newest flyover.