Nagpur High Court Intervenes as Unfinished Bridges Create Six-Year Safety Nightmare
In a significant judicial intervention, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of a critical public safety issue involving three unfinished bridges on the Katol-Warud road in Nagpur district. The court has directed that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) be filed within two weeks to address what has become a six-year-long hazard on this key arterial route.
Three Bridges, Six Years of Neglect
The incomplete bridges located at Paradsinga, Bharsingi, and Jalalkheda have remained in a state of limbo for nearly six years, despite the road itself being cemented and brought under the National Highway network. This prolonged delay has created a dangerous situation where the old bridges have been declared unsafe, while the new structures remain unfinished.
Motorists are now forced to navigate narrow, temporary diversions characterized by sharp curves and poor visibility. These makeshift routes have become accident hotspots, with local residents reporting steadily increasing incidents that have fueled widespread public anxiety.
Judicial Response to Media Report
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode took note of a media report highlighting the grave risks posed by the prolonged construction delay. The bench observed that the situation represented a serious threat to public safety and warranted immediate judicial intervention.
The court has appointed Tejas Kene as amicus curiae and directed him to file an appropriate PIL that comprehensively highlights the issue. This formal legal action comes after years of apparent inaction by highway construction authorities.
Construction Stalled Since Pandemic
According to documents presented before the court, construction work on these bridges halted in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, even after restrictions were lifted, the projects failed to regain momentum, leaving the structures incomplete and the public at risk.
"Drivers are forced to use extremely risky alternative roads. Accidents became frequent, and fear gripped the area," local residents told media outlets. They questioned how a national highway project could remain incomplete for six years, calling it a reflection of "serious lapses in the functioning of the highway construction authorities."
Agricultural Impact and Public Outcry
The delay has had significant consequences beyond traffic safety. Farmers in the region report that the elevated cement road has made access to adjoining fields difficult, directly affecting agricultural activities.
"We were assured the work would be completed soon, but nothing changed," farmers stated, alleging continued neglect by both authorities and the construction agency responsible for the project.
Demands for Immediate Action
Residents have made several urgent demands, including:
- Immediate acceleration of bridge construction
- A high-level inquiry into the six-year delay
- Restoration of safe traffic movement on the route
They have warned that without urgent intervention, the stretch could witness a major tragedy, given the deteriorating safety conditions and increasing accident rates.
Key Safety Concerns Identified
The situation presents multiple critical safety issues:
- Three incomplete bridges at Paradsinga, Bharsingi, and Jalalkheda
- Work stalled since March 2020 following Covid-19 disruption
- Old bridges declared unsafe while new ones remain unfinished
- Motorists diverted to narrow temporary roads with sharp curves
- Poor visibility increasing accident risks significantly
- Residents alleging serious lapses by highway authorities
- Farmers reporting blocked access to fields due to elevated road
The High Court has emphasized that the seriousness of the situation warrants judicial intervention, initiating formal steps to convert this public safety crisis into a structured legal case that will hold authorities accountable and seek immediate remedies for affected communities.
