The Rs 600 crore five-armed Pardi flyover is once again in news for the unsafe conditions that are turning perilous for the commuters. During a ground visit by ‘The Hitavada,’ it was found that both the carriageways of the flyover from the roundabout towards and from Bhandara were in deplorable condition. The entire top bitumen layer has eroded, leaving the concrete base exposed. Loose gravel, coarse aggregates show lack of will on the part of the contractor in using tar. Mud is piled along the shoulder which makes riding two-wheelers a dangerous task. Tyre skid marks and white polished patches are clearly visible.

 

Deep undulations and potholes in the middle of the lane force motorists to swerve suddenly. The carriageway from Bhandara side towards the city is also filled with loose gravel. The yellow-black median dividers are damaged, and at the concrete divider block lies toppled with bent iron railings, which can cause any untoward incident. Commuters said they had already endured years of delay before the flyover became operational and now face daily jolts. “You feel a jolt even on a bike when a heavy vehicle passes over the joint.

 

If you are not careful, it can throw you off balance,” said Pravin Meshram, a regular commuter on the stretch. Locals fear that with water filling potholes during monsoon, two-wheelers skid on applying brakes. The 7-km-long flyover connecting Bhandara Road, Kalamna, Central Avenue, Itwari and Wardhaman Nagar was conceived in 2014 and was to be completed by June 2019, but was opened in phases in September 2023 and February 2025 after years of delay. The deteriorating condition of the stretch has baffled citizens who have demanded immediate attention of authorities for its upkeep to ensure safety of commuters. Commuters have demanded immediate resurfacing, proper drainage cleaning and anti-skid treatment from NHAI and PWD before a major mishap occurs.