Nagpur: Nagpur’s Wardha road will soon witness a major breakdown on its Radisson Blu to Ajni Square stretch here, as the work of demolition of Chhatrapati flyover will begin on November 15 to make way for 3-km long double decker flyover. As long as the work of demolition continues, it will be a great trouble for the traffic to move through the Chhatrapati area, particularly affected will be the vehicle owners and even the pedestrians.
Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited will complete the demolition of this important bridge in 15-17 days under expert supervision. The 15-year-old bridge will be replaced by an ultra-modern double-decker flyover from Ajni Square to Sonegaon police station. The 3-km long double-decker flyover will cater to conventional traffic and North-South corridor of Metro Rail.
The Winter Session of the Legislature is scheduled from December 5 and NMRCL MD Brijesh Dixit has directed officials to complete the work before the Winter Session, without any inconvenience to people and road users. However, the citizens fear that there will be great inconvenience to the vehicle drivers and pedestrians.
The total cost of the double-decker flyover will be Rs 425 crore and is set to provide wider road space. NMRCL has completed all the preparations for the demolition of the bridge in this month. The traffic will be diverted for 15 days for hassle-free demolition of the bridge.
Diverted routes
The traffic coming from airport towards Ajni Square will be diverted from Hotel Radisson Blu to Khamla market to Khamla via Deo Nagar to Ajni Square. The traffic coming from Sonegaon Airport and going towards Neeri Square may be diverted from Narendra Nagar flyover to Ring Road and will pass through railway under bridge and Gajanan Nagar via Hindustan Colony to Neeri square.
Nagpur Metro will use combicrusher, rock-breaker, excavator, diamond floor saw, 40-60 tonnes crane, dust separator and other modern machinery to demolish the bridge.
The Metro Rail has also obtained permission from the Public Works Department (PWD) for undertaking the demolition work.
Devendra Ramtekkar, chief project manager (Metro) and Sushil Kumar, additional chief project manager are looking after the demolition work under the leadership of Dixit.
Managing director of NMRCL Brijesh Dixit, is personally looking after all the minute details of demolition work.
The NCC Company in collaboration with Matte Associates will undertake the mechanical demolition work. There are three methods of demolition – Mechanical, Manual and Explosive but NMRCL has selected Mechanical demolition to save the time.
Though, almost 50 traffic wardens will be appointed round the clock to make proper traffic arrangements, there are fears that it might cause traffic problems in the area. Khamla Market Road will also be widened by the NMRCL for smooth flow of traffic on this road.
The CCTVs will also be installed for the proper traffic arrangements on this route. The NMRCL will also distribute leaflets and display sign board for common man.
The Nagpur Metro has taken safety precaution for demolition work, said Dixit adding that the debris from the demolished bridge will be recycled for the metro work.
He further informed that the local Marathi-knowing people will be employed for the demolition of the bridge and other metro related work.
He said that the contractor may engage workers from elsewhere during the demolition phase but after the completion of the metro work, priority in employment will be given to the local people.
