NAGPUR: Chaos and confusion continue to reign on the Wardha Road double decker flyover, Manish Nagar railway over bridge (ROB) and railway under bridge (RUB) as motorists use the uni-directional flyover as a bi-directional one in a bid to take a shortcut.
The three-way flyover, inaugurated recently, connects people from Manish Nagar to Wardha Road.
On the day TOI highlighted the traffic mess on the flyover, officials of MahaMetro, the agency which constructed it, were seen erecting traffic signages at many places at both Manish Nagar RUB and ROB.
Acting on the TOI report, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Sarang Awad asked city traffic police to initiate strict action against the violators. Traffic police had on Tuesday evening caught at least 150 citizens using the flyover wrong side.
However, as traffic cops were not deployed there during morning hours on Wednesday, TOI found rampant wrong side driving.
According to plan, motorists coming from Manish Nagar side only are allowed to use the ROB that connects with the double decker flyover on Wardha Road. People coming from Ajni are not allowed to take the ROB. Similarly, those going toward Ajni or Somalwada from Manish Nagar are required to reach Pride Hotel using the ROB and then use the double decker flyover to reach their destination.
However, most motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, were seen violating the rules and using both the ROB and RUB. Commuters were seen accessing the ROB at the intersection of the double decker flyover in the wrong direction to take a shortcut to Manish Nagar. Similarly, people were found taking the wrong side at the RUB to reach Somalwada.
The wrong side driving can prove dangerous due to one of the blind turns at the RUB stretch, pointed out experts.
MahaMetro in statement on Wednesday said signage have been provided at vantage points on the flyover. Adequate LED lights as per Indian Road Congress standards have been installed. Some signage – fixed at different locations — highlight the need to follow the rules as written there.
Someone coming from airport and wanting to go to Manish Nagar has to take the road below and turn right at the desired location to travel through RUB. Also one travelling towards city airport is free to travel either using flyover or the road beneath. Moreover, this arrangement is temporary and subject to change from the concerned authorities, reads the statement by the MahaMetro.
MahaMetro has also approached the traffic department of Nagpur police for a detailed traffic plan for the ROB and RUB. MahaMetro would make necessary changes, if any, sought by the local police for smooth running of the traffic.