Construction debris, parked vehicles choke road near RTO

 

 

 

A narrow stretch of road beneath the Gyanyogi Dr Shrikant Jichkar flyover, near the RTO office on Amravati Road has effectively turned into a bottleneck due to construction debris and unchecked vehicle parking, severely restricting traffic movement and pedestrian safety. At the point where the flyover descends near the RTO office, heaps of construction material and debris lie uncleared along the roadside, particularly beside a roadside eatery. Over time, motorists have begun using this space for parking, further reducing the usable width of the road. As a result, nearly half of the road is blocked, forcing vehicles to slow down sharply, queue up during peak hours, and manoeuvre dangerously close to oncoming traffic. Pedestrians, with no functional pavement, are pushed onto the road, increasing the risk of accidents in an already congested area.

 

The situation is worsened by the absence of a footpath and the exposed edge of the nullah running parallel to the road. Loose wires protruding from the ground till Bole Petrol Pump Square add to safety concerns, especially for pedestrians. Some pavement-related work has been initiated recently, but there is no barricading around construction material and no enforcement to prevent parking along the debris-laden stretch. On-site workers mentioned that pavement work will be completed within 10 to 15 days, but no official notice has been given. The demolition of the nullah wall traces back to August-September 2024, during the construction of the flyover.

 

While the flyover is now operational, the ground-level work remains incomplete, allowing debris to accumulate and parking to go unchecked. Residents and daily commuters are calling on the authorities to clearly identify responsibility, remove construction material, regulate parking, and restore the road to full width. With construction material occupying public road space and vehicles freely parking without enforcement, the stretch beneath the RTO flyover has effectively been surrendered to neglect. While the flyover above symbolises progress, the road below tells a different story. Until the concerned agencies fix clear timelines and enforce basic traffic discipline, commuters will continue to pay the price for civic neglect.