Nagpur: One of the most challenging construction projects in Nagpur, the Kamptee Road Flyover is finally ready and will be opened for traffic soon, as workers are giving final touches to the ramp at LIC Square end.
The project is touted as Asia’s longest double-decker viaduct, a combination of flyover and metro route.
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The length of the flyover is about 5.4 kms from LIC Square end to Automotive Square, giving it a unique tag as a multi-layer transport system. What makes the flyover quite different from routine constructions is the four-layer transport arrangement at Gaddigodam, featuring National Highway at the lowest deck, thereafter Delhi train line on first deck, the flyover on third, and metro viaduct on the topmost level. The work was stalled for over two-years after landing at Sadar end was pushed towards LIC Square in the middle of construction during mid-2020.
Earlier, the flyover ramp was meant to start just before Gaddigodam Square from the Southern end as per the DPR. However, the presence of a school, a religious institution, a hospital and a bank evoked a representation seeking change in the design. As the landing was pushed towards LIC Square, land was however needed to be acquired for ensuring sufficient space available on either side of the ramp for movement of the vehicles for commuters not using the fly-over.
The flyover is built on Nagpur-Jabalpur highway by Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) as deposit work on behalf of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) that bank rolled the project through Central Road Fund (CRF). Barring the ramp on LIC Square end, rest of the flyover was completed by 2021 and Maha Metro got the required land on either side of the ramp at end of July 2024 and now, they are on verge of completing the project.
As for commuters using the flyover, Akhilesh Halve, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communication, Maha Metro, said that it is for NHAI to take the call. Metro was just an executing agency and after completing remaining minor works, Maha Metro would hand over the flyover to NHAI and it will decide on its inauguration. The 5.4 kms stretch of flyover would provide respite from spate of traffic signals on the road below to some extent since there are still some intersections where criss-cross road points still remain, like the Kadbi Square.
The traffic on the highway, mostly those moving towards Kamptee, stands to benefit due to uninterrupted and dedicated movement without having to shuffle through the chaotic traffic on Kamptee Road. The fly-over passes through densely populated areas and hence movement on the city stretch of highway is quite heavy throughout the day and evening period. The most daunting task of the fly-over construction was that of two decks above the Gaddigodam railway bridge as multiple risks were involved. This involved a live railway line, so blocks were required and the workers had to finish placing 85 meter long and 1600 tonne heavy girders.
Access to the fly-over a puzzle…
Now that the Kamptee Road flyover is complete, the problem of reaching up to it remains unsolved as administration has blocked vehicular movement from RBI towards LIC Square. So the question remains whether the flyover would be of limited use only, as those who wished to zoom past Samvidhan Square to Kamptee would still go through grinding traffic and a torturous gridlock near Bishop Cotton Square and near Liberty Talkies T-point ahead.
The problem has arisen due to the landing of Residency Road flyover opposite Kasturchand Park gate. To avoid clashing of vehicles, the direct movement by the side of RBI building towards LIC Square is barred. A commuter wishing to reach has to move past the ramp of Residency Road flyover and reach Liberty Talkies T-point and then take a U-turn to reach LIC Square. This roundabout is about one-and-a-half km and during peak hours, the roads below are jammed.
The space adjoining Residency Road ramp is barely adequate as vehicles of all sizes move at snail’s pace. Also, a bus stop exists opposite NIT building for movement of inter-district and inter-state buses, adding to the chaos. In all, the authorities need to do some quick thinking for a solution to the Kasturchand Park gridlock. Otherwise, the opening of the LIC Square ramp will further worsen the scenario.
