Nagpur’s citizens were promised smoother rides and decongested roads. Instead, they have been handed endless delays, dust, and detours. The Motibagh–Mominpura Road Over Bridge (RoB), once hailed as a project to ease traffic in central Nagpur, has become a daily ordeal for thousands. Under the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MRIDCL), the construction has dragged on for over three years, turning a solution into frustration, particularly for residents of the densely populated Mominpura area. Started in 2021 with high expectations, the project features a 2.8 kilometre-long bridge originating from Motibagh and branching into two stretches - one leading towards the Timki locality of Mominpura and the other connecting to Guards Line near the Ram Jhula. The project’s cost is estimated to be nearly Rs 132 crore.

 

According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of MRIDCL, construction has been underway since 2021, but the project has faced several hurdles. One of the ongoing issues is the lack of adequate parking space around the site. “The arm of the RoB heading toward Santra Market (Railway Quarter) is nearing completion, and officials aim to open it for public use by October this year,” he informed ‘The Hitavada’. However, when asked about the timeline for the other arm leading towards Mominpura, the response remained vague. Challenges such as equipment mobilisation and unresolved land-related issues were cited as reasons for the delay. The PRO pointed out that in several stretches, residents park their vehicles so close to the construction site that it hampers the movement of machinery and disrupts the workflow. “The issue of vehicle parking near the construction zone is a hurdle, and it is something that needs to be managed by the local authorities,” he said. While acknowledging that the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has extended support to MRIDCL on various fronts, he added that any specific challenges faced by the NMC would be best explained by the civic body itself.

 

Also, the road beneath the half-constructed flyover has potholes, uneven surfaces, and waterlogging during monsoons. “The road conditions have worsened since the construction began. Dust in summer and slush in monsoon, we are facing it all,” shared a shopkeeper from the Mominpura area. The PRO acknowledged the condition of the road but stated that their team carries out regular maintenance. “A permanent road cannot be constructed while work is still in progress, but we try to carry out repairs and maintain it every fortnight to keep it usable,” he said. However, the state of the road is just one part of the larger issue. Residents and shop owners are concerned about the arm of the flyover that descends into the Timki area of Mominpura, which is reportedly being built narrower than the main structure. Locals are concerned that once operational, the width will cause a traffic jam at the base of the ramp. Another resident stated, “Ideally, approach roads and ramps should match the width of the flyover to allow seamless movement. Otherwise, we are just shifting congestion from one place to another.” Addressing concerns about the narrowed ramp, the PRO clarified that all design decisions are approved by the relevant authorities. “The technical aspects, including whether the width needs to be increased, are thoroughly reviewed before approval,” he said. The residents and shopkeepers of Motibagh and Mominpura locality continue to bear the consequences of prolonged construction, with constant dust, debris, and deteriorating road conditions.