In March 2025, the Bajaj Nagar Square, one of the busiest intersections, saw the start of what was supposed to be a beautification project. However, two months later, now there is hardly any beauty and only traffic chaos at the place. Coupled with reckless drivers’ misadventures, people are now looking to avoid this important square and save themselves from the bumps thanks to 'novel' project of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). The idea was to level the mid-surface of the square so that driving through it could be easy, and for the same they went for affixing paver blocks. Similar work was taken up in the adjacent Kachipura Square as well but there too, the state of affairs is sorry to say the least, causing many problems for the commuters.

 

The middle portion of the square is reasonably elevated as compared to the roads joining it. The entire construction is an eyesore, not to mention an inconvenience. Further, people are complaining that vehicles are often going out of control at the stretch, as the paver blocks themselves are the problem, as it lack grip. Since road users are in a hurry to cross over at squares, the vehicles tend to lose grip while rolling over the blocks. Considering the traffic at the place throughout the day, possibility of an accident in future cannot be ruled out. As per Rajesh Gomkale, a resident of Abhyankar Nagar, and an expert in road works said, after the beautification work, the road width at Abhyankar Nagar Square is reduced to only 7.74 metre.

 

The total length and width of the road were earlier 12.40 metres. Meaning around 4.66 metre of the road was reduced due to the said work. Meanwhile at Bajaj Nagar Square, the size of the traffic island was increased by 1.65 metre - 1.85 metre which has started to obstruct the smooth flow of traffic. These designs, albeit good-looking, lack practicality. Both the Bajaj Nagar and Kachipura squares are used by many commuters from adjoining areas. This causes traffic congestion in the squares.” At Bajaj Nagar Square, as if the aesthetics and symmetry were not enough of a headache, now commuters are also facing the problem of paver blocks coming off. Some have been fitted loosely thereby making the vehicles, especially two-wheelers, wobble precariously. So one does not know what the idea of NMC officials is opting for paver blocks was, as the other option of tarring the square portion could also have solve the issue. It is worth mentioning that the work was completed only recently and there the contractor concerned cannot give the excuse of wear and tear. Coming back to Kachipura Square, the work is still going on which is resulting into the long queues at the traffic signal in this summer heat. The local body has not even installed green nets here as it has done elsewhere in the city. All in all, commuters hope that the authorities take note and spare them the horror of bumpy rides at these two squares.

 

 The beautification of the Bajaj Nagar and Kachipura squares, has brought to fore another issue; ‘what happens during the monsoon season?’ It may be mentioned that during monsoon season, the city witnesses heavy rains. Many times water is accumulated in both the squares. With the recent beautification works, which remains incomplete at Kachipura Square, the possibility of mishap and heavy traffic congestion can not be ruled out. Another shortcoming of paver blocks is that with the passage of time they tend to become slippery. So mostly for two-wheelers, negotiating the two squares could prove troublesotme, and one cannot rule out riders losing balance in case they are not careful. The fact that traffic signal timers is green only for 25 seconds and citizens are always in a hurry means that the usage of blocks could, in fact, derail the good intentions and instead slow down moving traffic.