Negotiating traffic snarls along the already crowded Railway Station and Cotton Market would be a matter of past, as the twin projects of Y-Shape Flyover (Ram Jhula Extension) and New Loha Pul is all set for dedication to people on 1st April 2023, Saturday. Executed by Maha Metro Nagpur, the two projects would be dedicated by Hon Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Hon Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis, in presence of other local leaders.
The dignitaries would dedicate New Loha Pul first at 5.30 pm followed by Y-Shape Flyover (Ram Jhula Extension). The two projects have been executed as Deposit Work by Maha Metro Nagpur for Public Works Department, Government of Maharashtra and as part of Central Road Fund, under the aegis of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India.
Getting train traffic block for project from Railway Department was a tough task as the section is one of the busiest with more than 200 trains passing through it every day. The stretch surrounding Loha Pul is always congested given its location. The stretch is surrounded by Railway Station, Cotton Market, Temples, 2 Cinema Theatres, Sitabuldi Main Road (which has multiple shops all along) and other Commercial locations.
The New Loha Pul would help decongest traffic on section of road between Manas Square and Cotton Market. The project includes two boxes under railway tracks which connect Manas Square to Cotton Market. The length of cells under the railway line is 47 meters and are 6 meter wide and 4.5 meter high. Box Pushing Techniques and Rail Cluster Method were adopted to execute the project.
Similar to Loha Pul, the traffic congestion at Ram Jhula is equally acute. In fact the entire stretch from Mayo Hospital (Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital) to LIC and RBI Square – along Kingsway – is bustling with traffic almost through the day. The entire stretch has multiple locations and establishments which attract a huge footfall.
The stretch is lined up with Railway Station, DRM Office, Mayo Hospital, Reserve Bank of India, Kasturchand Park, Territorial Army Battalion 118, PSU Banks, Schools and Colleges, besides many commercial establishments, government offices, besides residential localities.
Considering the complexity of the traffic, a Y-Shape Flyover was constructed, which serves as an extension of the existing Ram Jhula. It starts from Ram Jhula and breaks into two streams near Sri Mohini Complex – one landing near RBI Square and the other near LIC Square. The total length of the flyover is 935 meters.
After it is dedicated to the citizens, the traffic arrangement on the Y-Shape Flyover would be as follows:
• Traffic movement would be one way on this Y-Shape Flyover – vehicular movement would be from Ram Jhula towards RBI and LIC Chowk.
• Commuters coming from Central Avenue to RBI or LIC Chowk will have to go through flyover.
• The flyover splits in two directions near Sri Mohini Complex.
• One route leads to RBI Square and the other to LIC Square.
• Vehicles going from RBI or LIC Square to Central Avenue can’t use Flyover and have to drive through the existing road.
• Vehicles going from RBI or LIC Square to the railway station will have to take a right turn at Jai Stambha Square, taking the road instead of crossing Ram Jhula.
• Those coming from Central Avenue and wishing to reach the railway station will have to proceed through the ramp on the left.
With starting of these two sections, the traffic movement on the two stretches would be much smoother and vehicular movement in the two stretches with high volumes would be much easier. The successful execution of these projects has once again underlined Maha Metro commitment to the city.