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Nagpur: The ongoing renovation of the Ambazari Bridge, spanning from Ambazari Lake to Krazy Castle, has been met with significant delays. The Public Works Department (PWD) has now set a new deadline of September 30 to open the bridge for traffic. The Nagpur High Court, expressing its frustration with the slow pace of work, has issued a stern reprimand to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
The High Court’s discontent stems from the NMC’s decision to begin construction without adequate planning, which has caused severe inconvenience to the public due to a complete closure of traffic on the bridge. This lack of foresight led to the court admonishing the NMC during a hearing on Monday.
During the proceedings, the PWD submitted an affidavit, promising to open one side of the bridge by September 30. However, the court expressed deep dissatisfaction with the repeated delays and requests for extensions, likening the situation to a “game of dates.”
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The PWD cited several reasons for the delays, including a shortage of skilled labor, as many workers from Chhattisgarh returned to their villages for rice cultivation during the monsoon season. Continuous rain and subsequent muddy conditions have also hampered construction efforts, causing technical difficulties.
The PWD has now committed to opening one side of the bridge by September 30, though the entire project is not expected to be completed until March 2025. The affidavit noted that the majority of the work on the Ambazari Bridge should be finished by December 2024.
One significant obstacle to construction has been the relocation of high-voltage power lines near the old Ambazari Bridge, which had to be shifted before demolition work could proceed. This task, completed on June 4, caused further delays in the project.
In a recent high-level meeting, it was revealed that administrative approval from the NMC is essential for the construction of two gates on the dam, as part of the bridge renovation. The Irrigation Department has submitted the necessary plans to the NMC, and the tender process is expected to begin by September 1, pending technical approval from the Water Resources Department.
Another challenge faced by the construction team is the presence of large rocks that cannot be blasted due to the risk posed to nearby buildings and metro pillars. Instead, the rocks are being manually broken with chisels, further delaying the project.
During the latest court hearing, the High Court also scrutinized the construction design and demanded further details from the PWD on the project’s specifications.
