A well-intentioned traffic rule in Nagpur, designed to ease peak-hour congestion, has backfired dramatically due to ongoing major construction work, creating a nightmare for evening commuters on the crucial Wardha Road.
Traffic Solution Turns Into Problem
The 'No Right Turn' restriction, implemented in October 2024 by the then DCP (Traffic) Archit Chandak at Rahate Colony Square and Kriplani Square, initially succeeded in its goal. It ensured smoother, signal-free movement for vehicles between Zero Mile and Ajni Square during busy evenings, effectively decongesting Wardha Road by allowing an uninterrupted flow in both directions.
However, the launch of the massive ₹175-crore concretisation project by the Public Works Department (PWD) has turned this solution into a major source of gridlock. With barricades narrowing the road between Rahate Colony and Lokmat Square for construction, the same 'No Right Turn' rule is now compounding severe bottlenecks.
Commuters Forced Into Long Detours
Motorists approaching from Wardha Road and Deekshabhoomi Square who need to head towards Rahate Colony, Ajni Railway Station, or Ajni Square are caught in a frustrating loop. The restriction forces them to drive all the way up to Lokmat Square to make a U-turn and come back. This detour, on a road already squeezed by construction, results in bumper-to-bumper traffic every evening, testing the patience of daily commuters.
The situation is poised to worsen as the concretisation work on this vital arterial route is a long-term affair. The project, stretching along the old NH-44 alignment from Rahate Colony Square to Automotive Square, is expected to continue for several months, if not years.
Massive Project Executed in Two Phases
The work is being executed in two significant phases:
The first phase, already underway, covers the 2.6-km stretch from Rahate Colony Square to RBI Square at a cost of ₹25 crore. This segment includes constructing cycle tracks and footpaths where space permits and is part of the earlier Airport-to-Rahate Colony project. Officials expect this section's concretisation to be completed by September 2026.
The second, larger phase involves the 6.1-km section from RBI Square to Automotive Square, costing ₹150 crore. A contractor has been awarded the work after quoting nearly 30% below the estimated cost. This phase is scheduled to begin by mid-February and is expected to take about 18 months to finish, pending the receipt of the Letter of Intent from the ministry.
Authorities Scramble for a Fix
Faced with a surge in public complaints, the traffic police department has acknowledged the issue. A senior traffic official told TOI that the department will reassess the viability of continuing the 'No Right Turn' restriction during the construction period. "We will examine the ground situation and take a call on whether the restriction should continue or be temporarily revoked," the official stated.
PWD officials emphasized that the work is being carried out in short stretches to minimize public disruption. However, they admitted that due to the road's critical importance, each phase requires prior clearance from the traffic police, and the heavy traffic movement means the project will take considerable time.
Wardha Road is a lifeline for Nagpur, connecting Sitabuldi Market, Dhantoli, Railway Station Road, and numerous commercial and residential areas. With traffic restrictions, lane closures, and long-term construction all converging, commuters are bracing for prolonged inconvenience. The situation has sparked calls for better coordination between the traffic police and civic agencies to develop more adaptive strategies and mitigate the impact on the city's daily life.
