Approaches of rly station flyover to be razed in Nov end

Nagpur: The MahaMetro has planned to demolish approaches at both ends of the flyover in front of the Nagpur railway station and commence works for the Rs234.21 crore Railway Station Premises Development Project in November last week.
Part of the state government’s nazul land, under possession of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and erstwhile Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (MPSRTC), will be handed over to Central Railway for station’s expansion.

In lieu, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will get land for development of 24-metre wide new road connecting Wanjari Nagar overhead water tank with Ajni railway station railway overbridge (RoB).

City MP and union minister Nitin Gadkari has reportedly approved the three proposals in the meeting held on Saturday. Mayor Nanda Jichkar, ruling party leader Sandip Joshi, standing committee chairman Virendra Kukreja, collector and NIT chairman Ashwin Mudgal, officiating municipal commissioner Ravindra Thakre, MahaMetro director Mahesh Kumar and other officials were present.

Sources from the NMC and MahaMetro told TOI that flyover’s main part and shops beneath it will be demolished after construction of a mall on the part of MSRTC and MPSRTC land for rehabilitating the shopkeepers on permanent basis. “Rehabilitation will take time, therefore, decision was taken to demolish flyover’s approaches from Manas Square and Jaistambh Square. It will create huge space where the MahaMetro will develop a six-lane road,” the sources said.

The sources added that the decision to demolish only approaches was taken also due to complaints of devotees and office-bearers of Tekdi Ganesh Mandir who were finding it difficult to climb the flyover and take U-turn for reaching the temple. Also, there is no parking space for temple due to the flyover.

Another reason, sources said, was to avoid any changes in plan for demolition of flyover and shops under it.

Gadkari reportedly directed Mudgal to cancel the lease of MSRTC and MPSRTC and hand over the land for the project and railway station’s expansion. “MPSRTC ceased to exist over a decade. Also, MSRTC is not operating any buses from the land. Therefore, lease will be cancelled soon,” the sources said.

The sources also said that Central Railway (CR) has accepted to give permission and space for widening of Loha Pul railway under bridge. “CR has also accepted to hand over land for development of new road between Wanjari Nagar overhead water tank and Ajni railway station RoB. In lieu, CR wants land adjacent to railway station for its expansion,” the sources said.

Sources said Gadkari also given directives to revise Futala Lake redevelopment project being planned by the MahaMetro. “Earlier, viewers gallery was to come right above tunnel road. Now, it will come towards lake and tunnel road behind it with space for restaurants and parking. Only gallery’s rear portion will be above the tunnel,” the sources said.