‘Faulty design' of newly opened Kawrapeth flyover leads to traffic chaos

Time of India

03-05-2025

1
2
Nagpur: A recently opened extension of the Kalamna to Rajiv Nagar flyover, which connects with the current Shanti Nagar flyover over Kawrapeth railway crossings, has become a nightmare for motorists with its narrow width and lack of U-turns. Terming the design of the flyover as faulty, motorists and experts are demanding corrective measures to resolve the issues.
The RoB was built as the stretch between Kawrapeth to Old Kamptee Road has three railway lines forcing motorists to wait for a long time at these level crossings. The RoB connects two existing flyovers — Shanti Nagar to Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and Kawrapeth — and does not have a landing of its own. The PWD recently opened Shanti Nagar to Rajiv Nagar flyover for the public without any official inauguration following pressure from the locals as well as politicians.
The 1km long flyover was built at the cost of Rs141.62 crore against the Rs180 crore administrative approval. The flyover work was completed in Sept 2024, but a site visit by DCP (traffic) Archit Chandak and other senior officials found several issues with the design of the flyover, and they refused permission for its opening.
"We did a safety audit of the flyover and found a design fault on the Chikhli side of the flyover. We strongly recommended some corrective measures. However, the Chikhli side of the flyover is not yet open. I will look into the issues currently faced by motorists on the newly opened wing," said DCP Chandak.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Highest Earning College Majors—2025 Edition
Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads
Learn More
Undo
The RoB begins at Kalamna Road, crossing two railway lines before diverging into three arms. Two of these arms are meant to connect to the Itabhatti-Kalamna flyover. However, they remain blocked by concrete barricades placed by the contractor pending design change work suggested by the traffic department. The third and primary arm connects to the Shanti Nagar flyover which has become a problem for motorists.
Despite being structurally complete for several months, the RoB wasn't opened for traffic due to a lack of permission from the traffic department. It was finally opened under pressure. Now, vehicles travelling at high speeds pass through the T-point, which is the only point along the flyover with concrete dividers. Within quick time the stretch has become notorious for wrong side driving and unmarked U-turns, particularly by commuters heading toward Itabhatti Chowk. Originally envisioned to enhance traffic flow, the design is unintentionally encouraging risky driving, endangering both motorists and pedestrians.
Local resident Ranjan Adhikari, speaking to TOI, criticised the PWD's planning, calling the extension "completely unnecessary." "The existing flyovers at Shanti Nagar and Kalamna Market were already doing the job. This new extension has only made commuting more dangerous," he said.
Indora traffic zone in-charge PI Sharad Kadam said that the flyover was opened after some measures suggested by the traffic department were implemented by the PWD. "However, the issue remains as motorists have started taking U-turns at congested spots and even driving on the wrong side. I will now write a letter to the PWD to build a continuous divider along the Shanti Nagar flyover so that illegal U-turns are stopped," said PI Kadam.
With no traffic police or surveillance systems in place, violations go unchecked. "We cannot put a traffic cop to manage traffic as it is a flyover," said PI Kadam. The absence of signage, lane markings, or speed controls has made the flyover particularly unsafe during peak hours.
Residents are now demanding accountability from the PWD and urging the civic authorities to reassess the extension's safety standards. PWD officials told TOI that they are planning to carry out suggestions by the traffic department, but it will take five to six months.