Installation and subsequent breaking of height barriers at Sitabuldi flyover has become a regular feature. Heavy vehicles continue to keep plying on it, threatening the existence of the flyover. To end this particular issue, Public Works Department (PWD) and city police have come up with a solution. PWD is ready with the height barriers. But traffic police suggested to have lights on the barrier.

 

“The lights will make the instructions on the board visible especially during night hours. The board says that the entry of heavy vehicles to the flyover is prohibited. At present sans lights, drivers of heavy vehicles miss reading the instructions and continue plying on the flyover. In the process, the vehicles ram into the barrier,” elaborated Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Lohit Matani. Now, police have asked PWD to put luminous light on the height barriers along with sensors. Secondly, on both the sides--from Rahate Colony Square and from Freedom Park Square, speed-breakers will be constructed.

 

“The lights on the board will make driver understand that heavy vehicles can’t enter the flyover. The speed-breaker will compel heavy vehicle to slow down. If it still moves ahead, then the sensor will alert the driver that it has taken wrong path. We are confident that this method will work and heavy vehicle won’t be able enter the flyover,” pointed out Matani. Krusha Gharde, Executive Engineer, World Bank Division, PWD said,

 

“We have kept the height barriers ready. Once we get clear directions from police about putting light, sensor, constructing speed breakers, we will do it. During this work, we will need support from police because to do the work during the traffic movement is very difficult.” ‘The Hitavada’ has been raising this issue since long. Considering its seriousness, Nagpur Bench of High Court too has taken cognisance and admitted the petition suo moto. Not long ago, a major mishap was averted when a truck full of over 25,000 liter fuel hit the barrier.

 

When this flyover was built, the Government agencies had made it clear that movement of heavy vehicles is prohibited. The engineers then had made it clear that the movement of heavy vehicles would reduce the life of the bridge. Private travel buses, huge trucks, JCBs constantly use the bridge. Policemen caught the violators and action too was taken but the practice did not stop. This will damage the flyover and reduce its life. The only solution is to erect height bars at the entrance of the bridge to prevent the heavy vehicles from taking flyover.

 

The rule of speed limit (40) and prohibition to overtake too are not followed strictly. For some days in the past, police had conducted activity of checking speed of the vehicles with the help of speed gun. Police have nabbed the violators and imposed fine. But that activity did not bring any curb on speedsters. Even the vehicles of senior police officers too don’t follow the speed rules. Practice of overtaking is being done rampantly without the violators getting caught. The installation of height barriers might take longer than anticipated, affecting the flyover’s safety and functionality. Further delays could lead to additional expenses.