Nagpur's Infrastructure Nightmare: Two Years of Traffic Chaos
The cement concretization project on the crucial road connecting Manewada Square to Besa Square in Nagpur has become a nightmare for daily commuters, stretching over two years without completion. This vital 1.8-kilometer stretch has transformed into a hazardous zone with open trenches, uneven surfaces, and perpetual traffic jams that test the patience of thousands of residents every day.
Project Delays and Multiple Agencies Blamed
The Public Works Department (PWD) is executing this significant infrastructure project worth Rs 11.92 crore, but the work has been hampered by coordination issues between multiple utility agencies. According to a PWD deputy engineer who spoke to media, while the main concretization work is nearly complete except for approximately 100 meters, the simultaneous operations by Orange City Water (OCW) and MSEDCL have caused repeated digging and disruptions.
"The main concretization part is done, but at least three to four agencies are working here simultaneously," the engineer explained. "Every time a utility line needs laying or shifting, the road must be dug up again, creating continuous obstacles for smooth traffic flow."
Commuters Face Daily Ordeal and Safety Risks
The situation has become particularly dangerous during peak hours when vehicles move bumper to bumper from morning until late evening. Two-wheelers navigate perilously close to open pits, while school vans frequently get stuck for extended periods, delaying children's schedules and causing parental anxiety.
Kamlesh Dagar, a young IT professional who regularly commutes through this route, expressed his frustration: "What should normally take three minutes now consumes 25-30 minutes of my day. The dust, confusion, and complete absence of proper traffic management make this stretch feel like a war zone every single day."
Local shopkeeper Kunal Padalkar highlighted the grave safety concerns, noting that children regularly cross this hazardous road to reach coaching classes. Residents fear the chaotic conditions could lead to a tragedy similar to the recent fatal accident on the under-construction Besa-Pipla Road that claimed the life of 72-year-old Rangrao Patil last month.
Stormwater Drain Work Compounds Problems
Adding to the commuters' woes, ongoing stormwater drain construction at specific locations has further narrowed the carriageway, exacerbating the traffic congestion. The PWD claims to be in regular communication with OCW to expedite their work, but residents say the progress remains painfully slow.
With several minor accidents already reported on this stretch, the community demands immediate intervention from authorities to complete the pending utility works and restore normal traffic movement before a major tragedy occurs.
