Nagpur: Not just the city’s roads, even flyovers and railway overbridges have developed potholes, states a study by the traffic police. The study revealed that the Pachpaoli railway overbridge has potholes, while the Sadar flyover has witnessed five fatal and serious accidents since it was opened to traffic. As per the study, the city has 22 flyovers and railway overbridges across 10 zones of the traffic police.
Apart from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), different sections of the city flyovers, ROBs come under the jurisdiction of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), state PWD and NHAI. In the past, TOI had highlighted how potholes on flyovers and overbridges in the city were making driving difficult for motorists, especially two-wheeler riders. The study was initiated by DCP traffic Sarang Awad to access the condition of the city’s flyovers and ROBs.
The Pachpaoli ROB, which comes under the Lakadganj zone of traffic police, was constructed by MSRDC. Due to potholes, gaps in expansion joints between pillars at 36 places and mishaps have made the ROB quite problematic for motorists. However, the condition of the road under the ROB is not in bad shape, says the study.
Officials from NMC’s public works department claimed they frequently carry out repair works on the Pachpaoli ROB though it is owned by MSRDC.
This zone also has two more ROBs — Mehdibagh and Dahi Bazaar, owned by MSRDC, are in a good condition.
Indora zone too has four ROBs – two each being managed by NHAI and PWD. The cuttings on road dividers are improper and sometimes create confusion among motorists. The Rajiv Gandhi bridge, which is owned by PWD, witnessed one fatal accident.
Sadar zone has two flyovers owned by NHAI and one ROB owned by PWD. The ROB is in good condition. However, the NHAI has been asked to take some corrective measures for the Sadar flyover, including curbing accidents. Opened to traffic in 2019, this flyover has witnessed five fatal accidents.
The road beneath the flyover is in good condition and is appropriate for vehicular movement, the study says.
The PWD-owned Chikhli flyover, which comes under Kamptee traffic zone, too has claimed one life and it is dotted with small potholes. Similarly, Sakkardara flyover owned by MSRDC has developed some small potholes, while the agency’s Dighori flyover is in good condition, the study reveals.
Opened a couple of years ago, the condition of Ram Jhula ROB is good, but the road beneath the flyover is in bad shape and needs immediate attention of the state’s PWD. The Manas Chowk to Jaistambh Square flyover jointly owned by the NMC and PWD too is in bad shape due to potholes. Height barriers have been demanded for Ajni ROB, the study stressed. Another ROB under Ajni traffic zone in Dighori area is in good condition but it has claimed two lives. The traffic police has called for immediate repair of potholes on the Narendra Nagar ROB.
Box
Agency — Flyovers/ROBs
PWD—5
NHAI—4
MSRDC—6
METRO—2
NMC&PWD—2
PWD-NH—2
World Bank—1
Potholes — Narendra Nagar ROB, Pachpaoli ROB, Chikhli ROB
Improper dividers —Rajiv Gandhi flyover, Martin Nagar ROB, ROB on Smuri Nagar on Koradi road