Correction begins, Finally

Staff Reporter

Finally, course correction started on the Tekdi Road as powerful machines took position and started delivering mighty blows to take down the fly-over that turned out to be a ‘Design Disaster’. Nagpurians had been waiting for the D-day since long and it dawned on Thursday as demolition experts took over from where planners had failed. Amidst roaring sound, big machines landed powerful punches to break down the ramp on Manas Square side of the fly-over to initiate demolition process. For citizens, the removal of the obstruction that the fly-over caused was long awaited move. However, administrative machinery moves at its own pace, though Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had adopted a resolution to pull down the fly-over way back in 2018. The legal battle that later ensued further hampered the plans for demolition. As the work began on breaking down the concrete structure, for citizens it was a welcome move that was due since long.

Meanwhile, to help with the task on hand, a big drill machine was deployed at the spot and it started the work in systematic way by wrecking the tar patch on the ramp. Within matter of hours, the ramp was converted into rubble as the machine power ensured that nothing stayed before its might. The expert technicians drilled the holes to break the grid that ensured that patch could be easily taken off then by the excavator that worked in tandem. Fortunately today, the skies were clear and hence work could be done quite fast. By afternoon, much of the ramp disappeared revealing the big concrete mixture. Side by side, the fly-over parapet wall facing the MP Bus Stand was also reduced to pieces as a power cutter was utilised to shred it to pieces. The work of dismantling the 800 metre fly-over is entrusted to M/s Matte & Associates, specialist in engineering demolition by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL). A big net was put-up on Manas Square side as a safety measure. Similarly on the Tekdi Road, tin sheets were put adjoining the bridge as a matter of abundant precaution by the contractor.

As per the plan, initially the tar layer on the road is going to be shredded. Along side the parapet wall is going to be taken down in patches, starting from Manas Square side till shop number 60. Once the rubble is lifted, it would be transported during the night time and dumped probably at Bhandewadi Dump Yard of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Then, the slab portion demolition process is going to be carried out. With powerful focus lights providing ample clarity, the workers were on job even after the sunset. The noise from the motors of the powerful machinery deployed for demolition pierced the eerie silence of the night. For a while, the crackers, who had a field day due to ample rains, had to take a pause as their collective sound was no match to noise generated by the heavy machinery working without any pause. Passers-by watched the exercise of dismantling of the fly-over with amazement. However, compared to earlier times, the enthusiasm among citizens looked palpably low. Even those passing by the bridge seemed unperturbed by the massive work going on at the site.

The Tekdi Road fly-over symbolised all that was wrong with planning and planners and once removed it, will pave way for a six-laned concrete road from Jaistambh to Manas Square. With pulling down of fly-over, the eyesore of the shops below is also to a thing of past and provide much relief to travellers. The shops portrayed a very bad image of city, as it was first sight when one stepped out of Nagpur Railway Station. The unhygeinic conditions at the eateries, dirty outward appearance and traffic snarl on the Tekdi Road forced a rethink on the need of fly-over. Hence, NMC decided to end the menace by removing the fly-over. The 812 meter long fly-over will be consigned to pages of history in a period of next 15-days, the time fixed for wrapping-up the work.