Nagpur's Indora-Dighori Flyover Phase II on Track for June Launch, Full Corridor by Mid-2026
Officials in Nagpur have announced that the second phase of the Indora-Dighori flyover, stretching from Kamal Chowk to Reshimbagh Square, is scheduled to open by June. This development signals that the entire flyover corridor could become fully operational for public use by mid-2026, marking a significant milestone in the city's infrastructure upgrades.
Phased Commissioning to Ease Traffic Congestion
Phase I of the project, which extends from the Bhande Plot side towards Indora, is expected to be inaugurated by April. Initial delays were primarily attributed to pending approvals of Railway Over Bridge (ROB) drawings. The phased commissioning approach is designed to gradually alleviate long-standing traffic congestion in north Nagpur, providing much-needed relief to commuters.
Noise Barriers for Safety and Pollution Control
At several points along the flyover, residential buildings and commercial establishments are situated extremely close to the structure, in some cases just a few inches away. Officials have acknowledged these concerns and confirmed that noise barriers will be installed at identified locations as a precautionary and safety measure.
These barriers serve a dual purpose:
- Preventing direct access to and from the flyover from adjacent properties.
- Reducing noise pollution for residents living along the corridor once traffic movement commences.
The decision to install noise barriers was made following site-specific assessments of densely populated stretches. An official explained, "The barriers will act as a physical safety feature and also help in minimising noise disturbance to nearby homes and shops." Such measures are increasingly being adopted in urban highway projects across India.
Innovative UHPFRC Technology in Use
The project, valued at ₹998 crore, incorporates Ultra High-Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC), popularly known as Malaysian Technology. UHPFRC is at least four times stronger than regular concrete and proves cost-effective when used on a larger scale or for an entire project, according to field experts.
A senior NHAI official revealed to TOI that the Bhande Plot Square to Dighori Flyover will be the first in India to be constructed entirely using UHPFRC. "There are around 45 spans in the flyover, of which 34 will be 60 metres, 9 will be 40 metres, and 2 will be 90 metres. No one so far used 90-metre spans in city flyovers; this is being done for the first time," the official stated.
To date, the project has achieved over 73% physical progress, underscoring steady advancement toward completion.
Green Highways Initiative and Miyawaki Forests
The project aligns with the NHAI Green Highways Initiative, which involves large-scale ecological interventions in the Nagpur region. Key components include:
- An Oxygen Bird Park at Jamtha Cloverleaf on NH-44, spread over 8.23 hectares.
- Three Miyawaki forests with over 27,000 plants.
- Four Oxygen Parks developed at cloverleaf interchanges, transforming highway spaces into sustainable green ecosystems.
The Miyawaki method, a Japanese urban afforestation technique, enables dense forest growth in limited spaces by planting multiple native species close together. Under this method, three saplings are planted per square metre, allowing the strongest plants to thrive through natural selection.
Officials detailed that Miyawaki plantation patches were developed in the area, each covering approximately 0.3 hectares, with nearly 9,000 saplings planted in each space. The survival rate of these plantations is estimated at around 90%, with approximately 8,000 trees expected to mature successfully. Compared to conventional plantations, Miyawaki forests grow faster and create self-sustaining green ecosystems within three years.
The plantations will be maintained by the social forestry department for a period of three years before being handed back to the National Highways Authority of India. Developing a Miyawaki plantation costs around ₹40 lakh per hectare, accommodating roughly 30,000 saplings.
