Demolition of ‘Design Disaster’ may start within fortnight

Staff Reporter

WithIN the next fortnight, the work on demolition of the ‘Design Disaster’, the Tekdi Road fly-over, is likely to start as Maha Metro is ready and waiting just for the administrative process to complete. Although the legal procedure process is almost over, a written order is being awaited by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). It has held up handing over of the fly-over to Maha Metro, which is likely to be completed by the second week of July. Alongside the demolition, the redevelopment of the Tekdi Road is also going to be carried out simultaneously. Stating this Rajiv Tyagi, Director (Projects), Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), said, their plan is ready and some last minute adjustments may be required to be made according to the ground conditions. As to date for starting demolition, he remained non committal, saying unless we get possession nothing can be said as of now. Right now, Maha Metro is awaiting completion of legal and other remaining formalities on part of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) that owns the fly-over and the road underneath. Our team is in contact with NMC officials and awaiting formal handing over of the fly-over so that Metro team can move in and take the project to its logical conclusion.

The civic body is battling court cases and has recently won in High Court and at lower court and are awaiting formal orders to complete the process. The Metro officials again got in touch with NMC on Tuesday and sought a date line so that they can line-up its action plan and deploy the machines so that work can be started immediately. As per the strategy, Metro outlined their plan to NMC bosses and sought handing over of even the part of the fly-over so that process of demolition can start forthwith. Tyagi said, the total length of fly-over is about 820 meters and our plan is to take-up the demolition in two steps as same would ensure that there is little disturbance on the surface. For the same about 15 shops from Manas Square side that are still occupied needs to be vacated to avoid any displacement. So if NMC moves fast forwards and gets the shops vacated, Metro's contractor is ready with men and machines too drill-in and initiate demolition.

The fly-over was an obstacle in smooth movement of traffic and its patronage was also poor and in effect no is going to shed any tears at its removal. The fly-over was an eye sore due to the presence of shops underneath as they were constant source of nuisance for the passers-by plus the railway travellers. Buses heading to Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation bus stand faced multiple problems due to lack of as the shops were major constraints in smooth movement.

Razing of fly-over to start at Manas Sq

The demolition process is going to start from Manas Square end as this would ease the bottleneck created during peak traffic movement in morning as well as evening hours at the mouth of RuB at Loha Pul, said Rajiv Tyagi, MMRCL Director (Projects). “The demolition would then move forward steadily and the entire bridge can be demolished within a week, but that is not required as ample time is with us owing to ongoing rainy season. Another advantage of that starting from Manas Square will accrue is, the obstacles on the way of moving towards Ganesh Tekdi can be removed,” he said. Tyagi revealed that with demolition MMRCL was also simultaneously going to take up construction of six-lane cement road. “Why should we wait for the demolition of the entire fly-over? The sections where the fly-over razing is done will be immediately cleared of debris and work of laying road as per the approved design can start,” he explained.

A six-lane concrete road has been envisaged in the plan that was finalised by Maha Metro. The funds for the project are provided by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways from the Central Road Fund. Maha Metro has been awarded the deposit work by the Public Works Department (PWD). Asked about availability of space for six

lanes, Tyagi said, “Creating space is our responsibility and making the project a reality is our job, so that's not a major issue. He however added that concrete construction is going to be taken up only after August 15 when rain eases. As to fund shortage, he admitted to some constraints on that front but added that they are temporary in nature. About the reports that funds earmarked for Tekdi Road was diverted to Futala Lake project to which he said this happens on quite regular basis. In case a project is delayed then the funds provided for same are used in some other running or ongoing project.