Nagpur: DCP (traffic) Sarang Awad on Monday gave the nod for two-way traffic on Manish Nagar Railway Overbridge (ROB) connecting Wardha Road double decker flyover. However, he declined permission for two-way movement in the Railway Underbridge (RUB) connecting Manish Nagar with Ujjwal Nagar, stating that it is very narrow and zigzag to facilitate two-way traffic.
After inspecting both Manish Nagar RoB which connects to the double decker flyover and RuB on Monday, Awad said his office has never issued any circular as regards restrictions, including one-way traffic on the RoB and RuB.
Sources said the DCP wondered if the MahaMetro had constructed left arm for free left turn on the double decker flyover connecting with RoB, why did it close the section. There is no reason to stop the free left turn for motorists using the facility. In fact, this will reduce the vehicular movement on road beneath the flyover.
After opening of RoB, RuB along with double decker Wardha road flyover on November 13, the new road infrastructure work came in for sharp criticism from citizens, especially those residing in Manish Nagar, Besa, Beltarodi and beyond, over poor planning.
After inspecting two-way traffic on RoB connecting with the flyover, Awad ruled out two-way traffic on RuB. He asked MahaMetro officials to ensure proper road divider on the 900 meter patch of the RoB connecting double decker flyover with Manish Nagar road.
Until today, only motorists coming from Manish Nagar are allowed to use the RoB that connects with the Wardha road flyover. Traffic from Ajni is prohibited on the RoB. Henceforth, they will be allowed to use the double decker flyover to move towards Manish Nagar from Ajni side. The Metro will also provide divider on the RoB patch.
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.
To a query, the DCP admitted that wrong side driving from RuB was a serious issue and needs to be solved immediately. His office has directed senior police inspectors from both Sonegaon and Ajni traffic zones to deploy traffic cops on either side of the entry and exit of the RuB. The DCP was quick to admit that deployment of traffic cops round the clock at both the points to check wrong side driving is not possible and appealed to motorists to diligently follow rules.
Citing MahaMetro’s other project, the DCP said completion of another RuB, which is under progress, will facilitate vehicular movement from Manish Nagar side to Wardha road direction.