Flyover revolution in Nagpur city started with first flyover in the city that was built way back in 1996 from Kamal Square to Golibar Square. It was a model that was replicated at multiple places in the city in later years to decongest the traffic. With time and increasing vehicular movement, the first bridge, commonly known as Panchpaoli bridge, became insufficient for the traffic. The commuters often experienced bumpy ride on the bridge. The bridge is now being demolished and slated to be replaced by new 4 km railway overbridge (RoB) that will start from Kamal Square and thereafter post crossing the railway lines link-up with the longest fly-over of city stretching till Dighori. The new flyover is part of ambitious Indora to Dighori flyover project spearheaded by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), that will reduce travel time from Indora to Dighori from nearly an hour during peak hours to merely 15 minutes. The whole project is expected to cost nearly Rs 998 crore.

 

 

The demolition work has started from Kamal Square end and has been done till the first railway level crossing near Panchpaoli police station. As the Railways is yet to approve the block that will allow demolition of bridge over the railway track, the demolition will now start from the Golibar Square end. The closure of the Panchpaoli flyover bridge is a huge problem for commuters who were already struggling with traffic congestion on the road. The diverted traffic now passes through the service lane below the erstwhile flyover. This service lane is intersected by two railway crossings that take ages to open once closed for passing of a train, making commuters to wait for long times. The demolition of flyover started April 16 and is estimated to take one and half months. The official deadline for the opening of the new bridge is June 2026, and the work is seemingly running on time. The portion of the flyover after the Golibar Square is also progressing at a good pace. Pillars are in place Gen Mancharshah Awari Square near Reshimbag. Even the girders are installed from Agrasen Square until the Nag River bridge at Ashok Square, on Great Nag Road. Construction of a circular roundabout with landings in three directions to Baidyanath Square, Medical Square and Jagnade Square is under construction at Ashok Square.

 

The situation at the Ashok Square in peak traffic hours is nothing less than chaos. The supporting structure on all roads approaching the Ashok Square has narrowed the width of the roads that allows passage of only one vehicle at a time. Also, absence of traffic regulations, as the traffic signals are not functioning, have just added to the mess. The unruly traffic often resulted in choked situation with vehicles struggling to wriggle out with no space to pass for anyone. Same scenes of traffic congestion can be seen on stretch of road from Bhande Plot Square to Dighori Naka Square where the construction of the same bridge of length 2 km is under construction.

 

The flyover will pass over the existing flyover at Dighori Naka Square on the inner ring road. The pillars on this stretch of road are erected and installation of concrete girder is in progress. While the city is enduring significant short-term inconvenience and traffic snarls due to the demolition and construction of these vital flyover projects, the long-term benefits of reduced travel times and decongested roads promise a substantial improvement in the city's infrastructure and the daily lives of its commuters. The successful and timely completion of the Indora to Dighori flyover, despite the current challenges, holds the key to unlocking smoother and faster commutes across this important stretch in the city.