While both Manish Nagar underpasses were submerged following Wednesday night’s heavy rainfall, the Narendra Nagar underpass remained fully operational, marking a significant breakthrough in Nagpur’s long-standing battle against monsoon flooding.
The Public Works Department’s (PWD) newly installed Rs 9-crore pump-and-sump system successfully prevented waterlogging despite nearly 70 mm of rainfall, allowing uninterrupted traffic through one of the city’s most flood-prone corridors.
For the first time in more than four decades, the Narendra Nagar underpass did not go under water after a heavy spell of rain, providing much-needed relief to thousands of commuters travelling between Wardha Road and South Nagpur. The World Bank Division of the PWD launched the project in December last year to permanently resolve flooding at the underpass while upgrading the area’s stormwater drainage and sewage network.
As part of the project, the department constructed a larger pump house and installed a fully automated dewatering system capable of rapidly removing accumulated rainwater. The work was carried out under the supervision of Executive Engineer Krusha Gharde, with Assistant Engineer Ashish Kurve and Junior Engineer Himanshu Maldhe overseeing its execution.
The Narendra Nagar underpass has remained synonymous with monsoon flooding since its construction in the early 1980s. Even moderate rainfall would inundate the stretch, forcing authorities to shut the underpass and divert traffic through longer routes. Overflowing sewer lines frequently compounded the problem, with sewage mixing with rainwater and creating hazardous conditions.
Wednesday’s downpour, however, presented a different picture. Both carriageways remained open throughout the rain, with traffic moving without disruption.
A PWD official said the dewatering system comprises four automated 40 HP pumps. “Three pumps have been installed for regular operation, while one has been kept as a standby. During Wednesday’s rainfall, only two pumps were sufficient to keep the underpass free of water. The system automatically starts when water reaches a pre-set level. This is the first time since 1980 that the underpass has remained flood-free after heavy rain,” the official said.
According to the department, all key components of the project are operational. The remaining civil works related to the new pump house are expected to be completed within the next two months.
The successful performance of the system has strengthened demands from residents and motorists for similar pump-and-sump installations at the two Manish Nagar underpasses, which were once again inundated during Wednesday night’s rainfall.
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