Old Airport Road is nightmare for morning walkers

Nagpur: The reopening of the narrow Old Airport Road for vehicles has turned into a nightmare for morning walkers. A senior citizen taking a walk has died while some walkers sustained serious injuries in multiple accidents. This has forced Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) to ban vehicles on the road until 8am.
However, the restrictions have defeated the main purpose of reopening Old Airport Road, which was to connect Khamla to the airport. MADC in association with MahaMetro had reopened the road six months ago. The road had been closed for vehicles for decades, citing security reasons. The road was reopened as an alternative for traffic on Wardha Road since MahaMetro was implementing regular blocks on it, especially during night hours. Also, the road was supposed to be a relief for VVIPs and air passengers going to and coming from the airport.

MahaMetro and MADC have spent a good amount to reopen the road. After reopening, MADC used to close the road for all users between 11pm and 6am citing security reasons. Due to regular road accidents, now vehicles are restricted up to 8am. Also, boards highlighting speed restriction of 20km per hour were also erected on the road.

Hundreds of people from Khamla, Jaiprakash Nagar, Sahakar Nagar, Sonegaon and adjoining areas have used the road to walk in the morning and evening for decades. The road between the gate towards Sahakar Nagar and Nagpur Flying Club is around 4 meter wide. People walk on both sides of the stretch. So, vehicles moving on this stretch during the morning hours is causing a threat for morning walkers.

Corporator Prakash Bhoyar told TOI he is among 10 persons who have sustained minor injuries while walking on the road. “Senior citizen Chinchghare, a resident of Jaiprakash Nagar was hit by a four-wheeler while walking on the road. He succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Some 20 days ago, Sanjay Sawant, resident of Sonegaon, was hit by a four-wheeler and sustained serious injuries. Vehicles speed a lot of this road. We met airport officials and demanded restriction of vehicles up to 10am,” he said.

Bhoyar added union minister Nitin Gadkari assured to approve funds for construction of a special track for morning walkers along Old Airport Road. “Officials of airport and MADC had cited paucity of funds for widening the road, or building a special track, for morning walkers,” he said.