A new casting yard at Dongargaon is giving fresh momentum to Nagpur Metro Phase 2, especially on the 18.5-km Butibori stretch. With viaduct works, station slabs, highway realignment, and coordination with national agencies advancing in tandem, the project is rapidly transitioning from groundwork to elevated execution.
The Butibori corridor, the longest stretch under Phase 2 of the Nagpur Metro project, is now witnessing accelerated construction across multiple components. The newly operational Dongargaon casting yard is playing a crucial role in supporting this rapid pace by enabling efficient and timely production of concrete segments required for the elevated viaduct. Officials from MahaMetro confirmed that civil works on the Reach 1 segment are progressing on schedule, with the new yard significantly reducing logistical delays. The pre-cast segments manufactured here are essential for constructing the viaducts that will carry the Metro across this key industrial corridor, enhancing connectivity between the city and Butibori MIDC.
Geotechnical surveys along the Wardha Road alignment are nearing completion, and technical drawings for viaduct elevation have already been finalised. These studies ensure structural safety and help engineers map out construction with precision, especially in areas with varying elevation and complex traffic conditions. What makes this stretch even more complex is its integration with National Highway 44 (NH-44). As part of the new Metro alignment, the elevated corridor passes directly through the existing highway median. To accommodate this, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in coordination with MahaMetro, has undertaken a 2.5-metre widening of NH-44 towards the left, beginning from Jamtha and extending for 10 km.
This strategic realignment will ensure that Metro construction does not encroach on private land, thereby avoiding delays related to land acquisition. The move also preserves future expansion capacity for NH-44, which is expected to scale to a six-lane corridor in the coming years. Ground-level construction is also progressing steadily between Khapri and the starting point of the elevated corridor. A 2-km at-grade track is being laid to bridge the operational Khapri station with the elevated section, thereby ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the route. Slabs for two major stations—Metro City and Eco Park—have already been cast and placed, with utility shifting nearly complete.
The corridor design includes a railway line crossing, for which MahaMetro has submitted clearance proposals to railway authorities. Approvals for this integration are awaited, but officials are optimistic about timely permissions, as the Metro’s alignment has been designed in line with railway safety and engineering standards. Environmental clearances have also been obtained for tree-cutting along the Jamtha to Butibori stretch, which had earlier been a potential bottleneck. Tree removal and transplanting operations are nearly complete, allowing for uninterrupted road widening and associated utility works.
Five out of the ten stations planned along this corridor will be located on NHAI land, making inter-agency coordination a critical factor. Experts overseeing the integration said that close coordination between NHAI and MahaMetro has helped fast-track procedural approvals and eliminate potential roadblocks. Officials from the city’s public infrastructure departments say that such integration between urban mass transit and national highway projects represents a new paradigm in infrastructure planning. Rather than treating road and rail projects in silos, the seamless collaboration between NHAI and MahaMetro is expected to create a model for future multi-modal urban transport planning.
The Metro extension to Butibori is particularly significant for its economic impact. The area is home to Maharashtra’s key industrial hubs and special economic zones. Faster, reliable public transport will enable greater labour mobility, reduce travel time for workers, and decrease dependency on private vehicles. Experts believe that the connectivity will also encourage cleaner modes of commuting and reduce carbon emissions in one of the region’s busiest industrial corridors. From a sustainability standpoint, the realignment of NH-44 and coordinated construction reduces redundant infrastructure and land use. With minimal private land acquisition and smart utilisation of existing corridors, the Metro’s footprint remains optimised. Officials noted that the project remains compliant with urban environmental norms, thanks to integrated planning and proactive execution.
While the project remains on track, challenges persist. Regulatory clearances for railway crossings and final nods on some utility relocations could influence the timeline. However, with the core civil works on course and stakeholder cooperation at its highest, the outlook for Metro Phase 2 remains positive. In the broader vision, Nagpur Metro Phase 2 is not just an expansion of transport infrastructure but a step towards creating a cleaner, more efficient, and inclusive city. By aligning industrial connectivity with public mobility, the project is expected to serve as a catalyst for sustainable urban development.
As execution picks up pace, officials are hopeful that the Butibori corridor will become operational within its planned schedule, further reinforcing Nagpur’s position as a leading Tier-2 city investing in green and inclusive mobility.
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