Cotton Market Metro: 2nd Entry To Open By Mid-Oct
2
Nagpur: The Cotton Market Metro station is expected to open its long-awaited second entry/exit point by mid-October, as confirmed by senior MahaMetro officials.
The new 9 crore foot over bridge (FoB), cutting directly through the heart of the bustling Cotton Market square, aims to drastically improve accessibility and ease congestion at one of the Aqua Line's most strategically placed stations.
Construction of the 120-meter-long skywalk began in August last year and is currently in full swing. The bridge will connect the station building to metro-owned land near Lohapul, crossing the heavily trafficked square overhead. The structure will include a staircase and two lifts, ensuring safe access for commuters, including elderly and disabled passengers.
As of now, the station operates with just a single entry/exit, making it an outlier among Phase 1 stations of the
Nagpur Metro
network.
The absence of a second gate not only caused operational inefficiencies but also put the station at odds with safety and accessibility standards outlined by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
A senior MahaMetro official informed that the civil works for the FOB and entry structure are on track for completion by the end of August this year.
Following this, electrical and mechanical integration, as well as system-related works, will continue into September.
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the chief fire officer of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is also expected during this period, following which the new access point will be ready for public use by mid-October 2025.
Cotton Market Metro is one of nine stations built under the Eastern Corridor of Phase 1 of the Nagpur Metro Rail Project, positioned between Sitabuldi Interchange and Railway Station on the Aqua Line.
It is also one of the most commuter-heavy stations, serving daily footfall in the thousands from nearby wholesale markets, including the prominent vegetable and orange markets.
Due to land acquisition delays, Cotton Market station was commissioned nearly a year after other Phase 1 stations, opening only in September 2023. This delay also pushed back associated infrastructure, including the new FOB.
Motorists and pedestrians navigating the square have also felt the pinch.
"Due to multiple development works going on together at the square, it makes it an everyday hustle to drive from here due to heavy traffic and congestion. And just to cross the Cotton Market square is literally a challenge in itself," said Shivansh Deokhine, a motorist.
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