Citizens hoping for relief from traffic diversions around Sitabuldi, the heart of the city, face further wait as the national highway (NH) division of the public works department (PWD) delays opening the newly constructed bridge over Nag River between Panchsheel Square and Jhansi Rani Square for at least another 15-20 days. Last October, PWD had set a deadline of 3-4 months to complete the 25m bridge. An official from the traffic department revealed that PWD had provided written assurance that the bridge would be completed by March 31. “The work is nearly finished, and we anticipate it will open soon,” the official stated.
The previous bridge was washed away in a flash flood on September 23 last year. Since then, the section of Wardha Road from Panchsheel Square to Ranji Jhansi Square has remained closed for the construction of the new bridge. As a result, people have been compelled to take longer routes to cover the 300m distance. Traffic diversions have led to congestion on internal roads in Dhantoli, Ramdaspeth, and Sitabuldi. Naresh Borkar, the executive engineer of PWD, stated that the bridge construction is nearing completion, and it is expected to be open to the public in approximately 15 to 20 days. “The slab has been finished, and only minor work on a small nullah remains, which will also be completed shortly.”
