Nagpur's Sakkardara Flyover Junction Descends Into Traffic Chaos Amid Construction
Nagpur's Sakkardara flyover junction has transformed into a daily traffic flashpoint, with extensive road construction beneath the existing structure creating severe bottlenecks and extended vehicle queues during peak hours. This critical junction in east Nagpur's bustling commercial district now witnesses traffic delays stretching up to 30 minutes as motorists navigate narrowed carriageways and construction barricades.
Construction Zone Creates Perfect Storm for Congestion
The chaos is most pronounced directly beneath the aging Sakkardara flyover, where sections of the road have been excavated and barricaded, significantly reducing available traffic lanes. The junction, already constrained by flyover pillars and heavy pedestrian movement, now struggles to accommodate converging traffic from multiple directions simultaneously. During morning and evening rush hours, the situation deteriorates rapidly as vehicles from various entry points compete for limited space.
The area surrounding the junction houses a prominent vegetable market along with clusters of garment shops, utensil stores, and daily use establishments, drawing substantial footfall throughout the day, particularly during evenings and weekends. This commercial activity compounds traffic issues, with handcarts, autorickshaws, two-wheelers, and goods carriers all vying for the same limited roadway space.
Commuters Voice Frustration Over Extended Delays
"Earlier, it would take hardly five minutes to cross Sakkardara Square. Now during peak hours, we are stuck for at least 25-30 minutes under the flyover. Sometimes despite traffic marshals, vehicles just pile up," reported Amit Tiwari, a daily commuter traveling from Indora towards Bhande Plot.
Roadside parking and vendor activity further impede vehicle movement, creating conditions where minor slowdowns quickly escalate into extended traffic snarls. Larger vehicles face particular difficulty maneuvering through the narrowed lanes, while pedestrian crossings remain largely unregulated during peak market hours, adding to the congestion.
Interconnected Construction Projects Compound Problems
The traffic situation has intensified due to simultaneous construction activity at adjoining junctions along the corridor. The stretch from Bhande Plot Square towards Dighori, forming part of ongoing corridor development, is also undergoing roadwork. Similarly, the Giripeth square to Indora stretch is under execution as part of the same infrastructure project.
With all three connected nodes experiencing disruption simultaneously, congestion at Sakkardara junction spills over rapidly, affecting the broader transportation network throughout east Nagpur. Commuters report that the interconnected nature of the corridor means vehicles from Bhande Plot, Indora, Giripeth, and Digori all funnel into the Sakkardara junction, creating a compounded bottleneck beneath the flyover.
Authorities Respond to Growing Concerns
While the roadwork is expected to improve the stretch in the long term, residents and motorists have urgently requested authorities to deploy additional traffic personnel and streamline on-ground management until project completion. For now, Sakkardara Square remains a high-pressure junction where ongoing road construction has significantly disrupted daily movement patterns.
A senior NHAI official overseeing the road works provided an update: "Work on the entire stretch is almost complete, with only a few patches remaining. These will be finished shortly. Traffic marshals and diversion signages are already in place. At the Sakkardara Square, barricades will be removed once the pending patches and curing process are completed, which should ease congestion. We expect to complete the remaining work within the next 20 days."
The official's timeline offers some hope for commuters currently enduring the daily traffic ordeal, though the immediate situation continues to test the patience of Nagpur residents navigating this crucial commercial corridor.
