A worrying pattern of heavy vehicles crashing into height barriers has now struck Nagpur's historic Ajni Railway Over Bridge (ROB), triggering fresh alarms about traffic safety and enforcement failures in the city. This comes after similar repeated incidents on the Shaheed Gowari Flyover.
Latest Incident Chokes Vital Nagpur Link
On Saturday, a truck violently collided with the newly installed height barrier on the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) side of the Ajni Bridge. The impact left the truck stuck for a prolonged period, causing a massive traffic jam on this crucial route that connects areas on either side of the railway line. Hundreds of commuters faced severe inconvenience during peak hours due to the choked traffic movement.
While the height barrier withstood the crash, the incident starkly highlighted the persistent issue of heavy vehicles illegally using the ageing infrastructure. Sources revealed that even earlier barriers on the bridge were damaged by such vehicles, indicating a recurring trend despite clear prohibitions.
An Ageing Bridge and Critical Enforcement Gaps
The Ajni ROB is a 125-year-old British-era structure that has outlived its structural lifespan. For safety reasons, the movement of heavy vehicles on it is strictly prohibited. However, it remains a vital connector between South and West Nagpur, making consistent enforcement critically important.
To protect the old bridge from further damage, the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC or MahaRail) recently installed these height barriers specifically to block heavy vehicles. The agency is currently constructing a six-lane twin cable-stayed bridge that will eventually replace the ageing Ajni ROB.
Police Action and Fines Imposed
Confirming the incident, Ajni traffic zone Police Inspector Suresh Vasekar stated that swift action was taken to clear the chaos. "The truck rammed into the height barrier and was stuck for some time. Our team rushed to the spot and removed air from its tyres to reduce the vehicle's height before towing it away from the bridge," Vasekar said. He added that the authorities imposed a fine of ₹4,000 on the truck driver for the violation.
This event underscores a systemic challenge in Nagpur: preventing heavy vehicles from endangering old and vulnerable infrastructure. As the city waits for the new modern bridge, effective monitoring and stricter penalties are needed to ensure the safety of the existing century-old lifeline and the commuters who depend on it daily.
