Nagpur's Traffic Woes to Ease with Revised Sadar Flyover Alignment
Persistent traffic congestion plaguing Nagpur's Sadar flyover landing near Kasturchand Park (KP) Metro station is set for significant relief. MahaMetro has finalized a comprehensive revised alignment that involves rerouting a critical arm of the flyover through KP and establishing a new landing point on the road extending from the petrol pump at Samvidhan (RBI) Square to Zero Mile.
Current Traffic Diversions and Safety Measures
At present, to prevent severe gridlock and potential collisions, traffic police have prohibited vehicular movement from RBI Square to LIC Square. This temporary measure addresses the narrow landing area adjacent to KP Metro station and the lack of adequate dispersal space for vehicles. Traffic originating from RBI Square and destined for LIC Square is currently diverted onto Residency Road. Vehicles are permitted to execute a U-turn in front of the NIT office before proceeding towards LIC Square. This diversion strategy was implemented as an interim solution to manage ongoing traffic jams and mitigate safety risks until a permanent structural resolution could be designed and executed.
The issue gained significant attention when Union Minister Nitin Gadkari publicly criticized officials over the flawed flyover landing. He directed MahaMetro to develop and implement a permanent, effective solution to resolve the chronic traffic problems.
Details of the Revised Flyover Design
Senior MahaMetro officials have confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the redesigned flyover is in its final stages and is anticipated to be completed by this weekend. This milestone will pave the way for construction activities to commence immediately thereafter.
Officials have clarified a crucial point: the existing flyover landing will not be demolished. Vehicles approaching from RBI Square will continue to ascend the flyover from this current point. Meanwhile, traffic arriving from Katol Road and Chindwara Road will descend onto the road beyond RBI Square via the newly constructed landing.
The revised flyover's path is meticulously planned. From Liberty Talkies, the structure will branch out towards the NIT Building, extending up to LIC Square. It will then pass beneath the existing Metro viaduct, curve gracefully through Kasturchand Park, and head towards RBI Square before making its final landing just beyond the petrol pump located at RBI Square.
Officials assert that this new exit point will facilitate much smoother and more efficient traffic movement. The total length of the realigned flyover section will be approximately 875 metres.
Addressing Heritage and Technical Concerns
A primary concern during the redesign phase was Kasturchand Park, a notified heritage precinct. MahaMetro officials have assured that minimum land within the park will be utilized. "Only three pillars will be erected on the park land, while the flyover will pass overhead for a distance of around 270 metres," explained a senior MahaMetro official. "The structure will maintain a headroom of six metres, ensuring that ground-level pedestrian movement, existing utilities, and public use of the park remain completely unaffected." The flyover will be elevated sufficiently to allow uninterrupted enjoyment of the open space below.
From a technical standpoint, the redesigned flyover will maintain a ground-to-deck height of approximately 5 to 5.5 metres. A minimum clearance of about 4 metres will be preserved between the flyover and the Metro viaduct above. The actual vertical height from the Metro base to ground level is roughly 12.5 metres. The revised alignment necessitates an overall structure height of nearly 10 metres. A specific 2.5-metre steel girder span is proposed across LIC Square to navigate the tight corridor beneath the Metro structure.
Officials emphasized that several alternative alignments were rigorously examined before finalizing the current plan. This option was determined to be the most technically feasible and the least intrusive, balancing engineering requirements with urban and heritage considerations. The redesign received clearance only after multiple rounds of thorough technical evaluation.
Expected Impact on Nagpur's Traffic Flow
Once completed, the redesigned Sadar flyover is projected to bring about a substantial improvement in traffic flow along the crucial stretch from Mankapur towards Sadar and RBI Square. This corridor experiences heavy vehicular movement throughout the day, and the new alignment is expected to decongest the area, enhance safety, and provide a more reliable commute for thousands of daily travelers.
