Nagpur: Under mounting public outrage and after a spate of accidents, the Public Works Department (PWD) has finally decided to demolish the newly built speed breakers at both ends of the Adivasi Gowari Shaheed Flyover, popularly known as the Sitabuldi Flyover in Nagpur.
The move comes after multiple motorists were injured over the past two days, triggering widespread anger among commuters and residents. The speed breakers, constructed by the World Bank Division of the PWD, were meant to control speeding but ended up creating a dangerous death trap instead.
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07 Oct 2025
Local citizens reported that several two-wheeler riders lost balance and fell after hitting the unmarked bumps. Many sustained injuries, and furious commuters accused the department of sheer negligence. The speed breakers, they said, were not only unnecessary on a straight stretch of the flyover but also built without mandatory white markings or advance warning signs, making them practically invisible, especially at night.
The issue snowballed after local media reports exposed the design blunder and the growing number of accidents. Faced with intense criticism, PWD officials rushed to paint white stripes on the bumps to improve visibility, but the quick cosmetic fix backfired. Even after painting, motorists complained that the speed breakers were too high and placed too close together, causing vehicles to bounce violently and leading to near-miss incidents.
Speaking on the controversy, PWD Superintending Engineer Janardan Bhanuse admitted that the speed breakers were originally installed as a safety measure. “Heavy vehicles were to be restricted on the flyover through height barricades. The speed breakers were placed before these barricades to prevent accidents,” he said.
“However, after receiving complaints from two-wheeler and car users about the inconvenience caused, we have directed that the speed breakers at both ends be demolished.”
PWD sources confirmed that the demolition work will begin shortly to restore smooth traffic flow on one of Nagpur’s busiest flyovers.
Residents and daily commuters have welcomed the decision but demanded that the PWD take responsibility for poor planning and consult traffic experts before executing such projects in the future. Many questioned how such unscientific structures were approved in the first place.
The incident has once again exposed the casual approach of civic and engineering agencies toward road safety in Nagpur. Experts say such blunders highlight the absence of proper audits, safety design checks, and public consultation before implementing measures that directly impact thousands of commuters.
As the PWD prepares to undo its own mistake, the episode serves as a stark reminder that infrastructure built without foresight can turn safety measures into potential death traps.
