A section of the Butibori flyover, a vital connection between Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, and Hyderabad, collapsed on Tuesday, bringing traffic on the busy route to a complete halt. The flyover, located on the National Highway at the intersection leading to Wardha Road and Butibori MIDC, had been opened to the public on June 17, 2021. However, just three years after its inauguration, parts of the structure have begun to fall apart.
The National Highway is a crucial artery for travelers heading to various districts in Vidarbha, including Chandrapur, Wardha, and Yavatmal. Following the collapse, long queues of vehicles have been reported, causing severe disruptions.
Local police confirmed that about half a foot of the bridge at the intersection had initially collapsed, followed by smaller sections. Upon noticing the damage, authorities first stopped traffic on one side of the flyover before eventually closing both sides. Vehicles have been diverted to alternative routes, but the flow remains slow, with traffic backing up for up to a kilometer.
“We are working to manage the traffic. After discussions with senior officers, additional diversions may be implemented,” said Police Inspector Vaibhav Jadhav, Traffic, Nagpur Rural.