Nagpur: In a significant development, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of environmental concerns raised by a green activist regarding the proposed tunnel project from the Government Institute of Science to Manas Square in Nagpur. This decision follows the submission of a letter by the activist, drawing attention to adverse effects highlighted in recent media reports.
A division bench comprising Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri, responding to the letter, appointed Kuldeep Mahalle as the amicus curiae in the ensuing Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The bench directed Mahalle to draft a comprehensive PIL addressing the issues raised in the reports concerning the proposed tunnel project.
The letter submitted by the environmentalist underscored several key points. Firstly, it emphasized the existence of an already functional road without significant traffic issues, except at Freedom Park Square, which is efficiently managed by signal lights. The activist argued that the proposed east-west tunnel might not effectively alleviate traffic congestion, as the primary traffic flow is from north to south, specifically from RBI Square to Sitabuldi. Additionally, the activist cited past infrastructure projects such as subways and overpasses, which, instead of resolving traffic problems, have become sources of dispute and exacerbated existing issues. Examples provided include the RBI Square/Sadar overpass and the demolished railway station flyover.
Furthermore, the letter questioned the rationale behind the proposed tunnel construction, highlighting the absence of publicly available scientific evidence to justify the substantial investment in the project. It noted that the road adjacent to the Institute of Science is currently underutilized, experiencing minimal traffic at any given time.
The Nagpur High Court’s decision to take suo motu cognizance of the concerns raised by the environmentalist underscores the judiciary’s commitment to addressing environmental issues and ensuring sustainable development. As the PIL progresses, stakeholders anticipate a thorough examination of the proposed tunnel project’s environmental impact and its efficacy in addressing traffic concerns in Nagpur.
Notably, this ambitious project has been greenlit with a financial infusion of Rs 80 crore, sanctioned by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.
This announcement was made by Gadkari himself during a recent event held in the city. The tunnel is earmarked to be christened in honour of the late Dattaji Didolkar, a distinguished founder member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The funding for this visionary initiative has been drawn from the Central Road Fund (CRF), underscoring the government’s commitment to alleviating Nagpur’s traffic congestion woes, particularly at the bustling Morris College Square.
In a proactive move to expedite the project’s execution, Gadkari has enlisted the services of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) to orchestrate both the design and construction phases. While several railway underbridges are already a part of Nagpur’s urban landscape, the introduction of a tunnel underpass road, a hitherto absent transportation feature, marks a significant development.
