Nagpur: The Multi-Modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN), once promoted as a flagship infrastructure project, has turned into a perilous zone for daily commuters. Once celebrated for its potential to boost Nagpur’s industrial and logistical prowess, MIHAN now suffers from deteriorating infrastructure, which has transformed its roads into dangerous routes, leaving motorists and pedestrians alike in jeopardy.
According to local media reports, the industrial hub’s crumbling roads, malfunctioning street lights, and poorly lit underpasses are creating an increasingly hazardous environment for commuters.
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Friday 27 Dec. 2024
The risks are no longer theoretical. Recently, a woman was stalked and molested while navigating the dark, unsafe roads of MIHAN at night. A police complaint was lodged at the Hingna police station, but the incident has raised significant alarm about the general safety of commuters, especially women, in this neglected area. Despite mounting concerns, authorities appear indifferent, leaving basic safety and commuting standards in disarray.
The report highlights an appalling state of affairs. Even during early hours, large portions of MIHAN remain shrouded in darkness, with no functional lighting. The critical bridge over Wardha Road, a key entry point to the hub, is riddled with potholes, loose gravel, and stretches of unpaved road. Vehicles are forced to navigate the treacherous path slowly and cautiously, far from the smooth infrastructure expected in a project of this scale.
Conditions worsen near W Building Square and the turn towards Khapri Metro Station, where barely any streetlights are operational. Most of the road is plunged into near-total darkness, creating an eerie and unsafe atmosphere for commuters, who must rely on car headlights and personal flashlights to get through.
The Khapri underpass poses the most significant risk. A vital connection between MIHAN and Wardha Road, the underpass is completely devoid of functional lighting, and the few flickering bulbs provide little help. Stagnant water collects in one corner of the passage, further complicating the already hazardous journey. The road surface is uneven, riddled with potholes and gravel, turning the drive into a daunting and risky task.
Women, in particular, are facing heightened risks, with the absence of basic lighting and security measures exacerbating fears for personal safety. Shockingly, MIHAN authorities seem either unaware or uninterested in addressing these critical issues. According to a MIHAN official, no complaints have been received about the failing infrastructure, and there appears to be no immediate plan for intervention.
The deteriorating conditions at MIHAN stand in stark contrast to the promises made when the project was launched. What was once envisioned as a high-tech industrial hub now seems more like an abandoned project, with the safety of its commuters hanging in the balance.
