Nagpur: Residents are demanding two-way traffic on Manish Nagar Railway Underbridge (RUB) and Railway Overbridge (ROB) connecting with Wardha road double decker flyover. Currently, one-way traffic is allowed on both the RUB and ROB that were opened recently but violations are causing chaos and risk of accidents.
“MahaMetro constructed the structure with the option for two-way traffic. The Nagpur city traffic police dumped the plan citing narrow width of both RoB and RuB, thus defeating the purpose of strengthening road infrastructure in this part of the city,” said builder Abhijit Majumdar, who has developed housing schemes in Manish Nagar, Besa, Beltarodi and other adjoining areas.
Currently, only motorists coming from Manish Nagar are allowed to use the ROB that connects with the Wardha Road flyover. Traffic coming from Ajni is prohibited on the ROB.
Motorists going toward Ajni or Somalwada from Manish Nagar are required to use the ROB to reach Pride Hotel from where they use the double decker flyover to reach their destination. The RUB is only for vehicles coming from Ajni and going toward Manish Nagar and beyond.
TOI has already reported about rampant violations of the one-way rules.
The traffic police, which initially nabbed motorists taking the wrong side and penalized 150 violators, have turned a blind eye to the violations, said motorists.
Majumdar said the one-way restriction has solved only 50% of the traffic problem. “Wrong side driving has increased the risk on the RUB and ROB,” he said.
Mahesh Kasture, a resident of Besa, said two-way traffic should have been allowed. “Now, a lot of motorists are entering one-way. Accidents are bound to happen. Traffic should be allowed on both ways and regulated by cops,” he said.
Another motorist Nitin Kumbhalkar said the RUB should be allowed for one-way traffic from Manish Nagar to Somalwada, while ROB should be for vehicles coming towards Manish Nagar, Besa and Beltarodi.
A MahaMetro official said the ROB and RUB were planned for two-way traffic movement. “As residents living nearby were not ready to part with their properties, the RUB and ROB could not be made as wide as planned,” said the official and added that the police then refused two-way traffic. The official said if the police want, MahaMetro is ready to make changes.