Opening Of First Of ₹332 Crore Twin Ajni Cable-Stayed Bridges Postponed by Five Months
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Nagpur: After encountering multiple hurdles, the work on the much-awaited Rs332 crore six-lane, twin cable-stayed bridges at Ajni, being constructed to replace the 125-year-old British-era railway overbridge (RoB), has started in full flow.
However, due to changes required in design to get multiple approvals due to other infrastructure projects at the spot, the opening of the first bridge has been delayed.
The Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) or MahaRail has now announced that one bridge will be opened to the public by the end of February next year — four months later than the originally scheduled opening in October. MahaRail MD Rajesh Kumar Jaiswal said it will be a remarkable structure, with eye-catching illumination.
"The project was designed by a Taiwan firm, and was later approved by IIT Mumbai.
The cable-stayed bridge needs multiple approvals, because of which the construction has been pushed forward till end of February 2026."
The existing Ajni RoB is located between Ajni and Khapri Railway Stations over the Nagpur-Wardha section in the Nagpur division of Central Railway. However, since the bridge has outlived its life and regular traffic congestion, the six-lane, twin cable-stayed bridges were proposed, on the lines of Ram Jhula near the main railway station.
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The work for the project started in April 2023, and MahaRail initially wanted to open one of the bridges by October 2025.
However, it has been postponed now.
"The new cable-stayed bridge will significantly reduce the traffic congestion in this area and will also add to the beauty of Nagpur city. MRIDC has taken a challenge to complete the first phase of RoB by February 2026, which will give major relief to the commuters," said MahaRail.
MahaRail also claimed that one of the important things in the project is that traffic diversion is not required during the construction of the bridge since RoB is being constructed in two phases.
MahaRail also claimed that it was very challenging and difficult to construct the foundation in between operational railway lines. "However, MRIDC has made remarkable progress. The work of the connecting beam has been completed, and a pylon at 52 metres height is being constructed above the connecting beam.
The fabrication work of steel girders is almost 90% complete at the casting yard. Once completed, the girder will be transported to Ajni from the casting yard and installed," said the agency.
Ajni RoB will provide direct connectivity to South and Central Nagpur. The new cable-stayed bridge will provide smooth traffic movement. "This cable-stayed overbridge will add architectural landmarks to the city. The proposed LED theme lighting during the night will enhance the beauty and will give an aesthetic appeal to the neighbourhood.
There is provision of footpath on both sides of the cable-stayed bridge along with selfie points," said a MahaRail official.
Box:
BRIDGE IN TWO PHASES
1st Phase: Three-lane cable-stayed bridge, parallel to existing RoB, and its work is currently going on. Till construction is completed, traffic is allowed over the existing (old) bridge
2nd Phase: Old bridge will be demolished, and two-way traffic rerouted to new bridge. Second three-lane RoB will be built in place of the current Ajni bridge
Final Traffic: Once second RoB is ready, each bridge will accommodate one-way traffic
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