Nagpur: Over a month after Union minister Nitin Gadkari admitted a design flaw in the Sadar flyover landing, and announced rectification plans, MahaMetro has finally been entrusted with the task of fixing the issue. Sources in MahaMetro revealed to TOI that the agency will soon appoint a Detailed Design Consultant (DDC) to prepare a comprehensive correction plan for the problematic landing.The appointment of a DDC marks the first official step toward resolving the persistent traffic bottleneck that has troubled commuters since the flyover’s inauguration. Now, with MahaMetro officially taking charge, the process is moving forward. “Once the DDC is appointed, detailed discussions and planning will be undertaken to finalise the rectification measures. Execution will follow the final approval of the revised plan,” a MahaMetro official told TOI.The 3.96-km long Y-shaped flyover, built at a cost of Rs219 crore by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was opened to the public in January 2020. It starts near Samvidhan Square and branches out toward Katol Road and Koradi Road, aiming to ease congestion in the Sadar area. However, the landing near Kasturchand Park on the busy Wardha Road has proven to be a serious design flaw.Due to the narrow landing and lack of proper traffic dispersion space, authorities were forced to shut the crucial stretch between Samvidhan Square and LIC Square. This rerouting has created significant inconvenience for motorists. Commuters travelling from Samvidhan Square toward Kamptee flyover are now forced to detour via Sadar, make a U-turn near NIT, and then proceed to LIC Square before heading to Kamptee Road.Additionally, traffic descending from the flyover and traffic coming from LIC Square towards Samvidhan Square clash near Kasturchand Park Metro Station, worsening congestion and increasing the risk of accidents.Gadkari last month acknowledged the flaw during a press conference and stated that a Rs34 crore proposal had been submitted to correct the landing design and ensure smoother traffic movement.While the appointment of a consultant brings hope for resolution, the actual rectification could take several months. Until then, motorists will have to continue dealing with the long detours and daily congestion caused by the flawed design.
