For Maharashtra’s second capital, September 23, 2023, will be a date etched in memory, as many families near Ambazari Lake and along the Nag River faced their worst nightmare. With the monsoon season starting this year, concerns are growing that heavy rainfall could lead to a repeat of the devastating flash floods from last year.
Unfortunately, the government’s response to this situation has been marked by a delayed start and sluggish execution of mitigation measures. In the wake of last year’s Ambazari flash flood, numerous issues were discussed, including the warning issued by the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) in 2018 about the deteriorating condition of Ambazari Bridge, as well as the need for long-term strategies to prevent a recurrence of such a devastating event.
The primary focus of public discussion was the distress of the flood-affected individuals and the inadequate compensation they received. The authorities did not promptly address the situation, propose long-term solutions, or begin implementing a plan. Action was only taken after individuals stepped forward and the courts issued directives. Consequently, the authorities only started preparing and executing a plan several months after September 2023, following the formation of a high-powered committee (HPC) in response to a High Court reprimand.
Meanwhile, the closure of the road from Gajanan Mandir near Ambazari Lake to Dharampeth Science College has significantly disrupted public life, prompting court intervention. As a short-term measure, the road through VNIT has been opened. Despite the administration’s plan to partially reopen the road, where a bridge is under construction, by August 31, it is evident that the authorities will miss the deadline, as the work only began earlier this month.
Advocate Tushar Mandlekar, representing the petitioners in the case, alleged that the government was endangering lives. “The current six-month delay is bad enough, but the work should have started in 2018 when VNIT, a premier institute, made the suggestion. These corrective measures are six years overdue! We don’t care about the details of the tasks assigned to each department involved. The authorities should have acted swiftly to reconstruct the bridge and open the road for the public. Even after the constitution of the HPC, the completion date for the bridge reconstruction was set for August 31, 2024. Given the delayed start and slow progress, they are certain to miss this deadline,” Adv Mandlekar said in an interview with a local daily.
Advocate Mandlekar mentioned that VNIT had suggested strengthening the bridge to prevent water overflow. However, the government procrastinated, prompting people to approach the High Court. The court repeatedly criticized the authorities, questioning why the ambitious Ambazari Lake Plan, initiated in 2018, had not been completed within the stipulated five-year period.
The dismantling of the original bridge began in June 2024, with reconstruction starting in July. Recent heavy rainfall has dampened hopes of meeting the August 31 deadline, as water accumulation has slowed work. The rain often halts construction entirely, as labourers are unable to proceed.
The overflow from Ambazari waste weir has worsened the situation at the work site. The Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for the dismantling and reconstruction of the bridge, with involvement from Maha Metro, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Water Resources Department, Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI), and Nagpur Improvement Trust.
Given that the work is being affected by rainfall, the deadline for completing the bridge reconstruction will almost certainly be missed. Since the bridge reconstruction is just one part of the overall project, other tasks may also require more time. It is hoped that all the involved authorities will coordinate effectively and adhere to a realistic timeline, so people in the flood-affected areas can live without fear.