Nagpur: Changing the urban transport infrastructure of the city, MahaMetro and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable the construction of Metro viaducts and parallel two 6-lane flyovers along critical stretches of the national highway as part of the Nagpur Metro Rail Project Phase 2 on Friday.The MoU, signed at the NHAI regional office in Nagpur, allows MahaMetro to use NHAI’s Right of Way (RoW) for constructing elevated Metro corridors along two key routes — from Jamtha to Butibori on NH-44 (Butibori stretch) and from HB Town to Transport Nagar on NH-53 (Pardi stretch).On the Butibori stretch, the Metro viaducts and the two proposed 6-lane flyovers will be integrated in terms of structural planning but will not follow a double-decker design. A senior MahaMetro official clarified that, unlike the double-decker arrangements seen on Wardha Road or the Kamptee corridor, the Metro and flyovers here will run parallel to each other. In specific sections, such as underpasses, they will share substructures to make optimal use of space and reduce overall costs. However, the design plans and cost estimates are still being finalised and remain subject to change, the official added. Two flyovers, each around 2 km long, are planned along this route — one in front of the VCA Stadium at Jamtha and the other near Dongargaon. Additionally, the Metro line will cross over an existing railway track near Borkhedi. At this location, due to the presence of a previously constructed railway overbridge, the Metro crossing will create a structure that may appear similar to a double-decker, a senior NHAI official said.The stretch between Jamtha and Butibori, measuring around 10 km, includes approximately 8 km where the Metro viaduct will run directly along NH-44. However, before Metro construction can fully commence on this stretch, realignment of the highway’s centre portion is required. MahaMetro is currently carrying out that work as part of the road widening initiative. A senior MahaMetro official told TOI, “The widening is being done to facilitate Metro work. We have already started the road widening and once that is completed and we have two additional lanes available for traffic, we will begin erecting the Metro pillars. The flyover and Metro construction will then proceed simultaneously without disrupting highway traffic.” NHAI, on its part, has extended full support for the execution of the project. A senior NHAI official confirmed, “We have made officially extended cooperation to MahaMetro and will be providing backend support whenever needed. All required permissions from our side have already been granted, and we’ve facilitated utility shifting and other procedures.” The MoU also sets clear provisions for adherence to Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines, including a minimum 6-metre vertical clearance for vehicles and the use of independent engineers and joint inspections to ensure quality, safety, and coordination between agencies. The agreement was signed at the NHAI office by Rakesh Prakash Singh (CGM & RO, NHAI), Naresh Gurbani (executive director, MahaMetro), and R Arun Kumar (executive director, MahaMetro). Officials emphasised that the initiative reflects a shared vision to integrate mass transit solutions with national highway development — helping reduce congestion and cater to the needs of Nagpur’s rapidly expanding population.
