Nagpur’s bustling Agrasen Square, one of the city’s most congested junctions, is currently experiencing aggravated daily traffic due to ongoing ramp construction by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This challenging segment is part of the ₹998 crore Indora to Dighori flyover project, a vital infrastructure upgrade. While commuters face daily snarls, authorities have provided assurances that this critical construction work is on track for completion within approximately one month, aiming for mid-August 2025.
The larger flyover project involves the construction of two significant elevated corridors: one extending from Kamal Chowk to Reshimbagh and the other from Bhande Plot Square to Dighori. These corridors are designed to drastically reduce travel time for thousands of commuters traversing North to South Nagpur. The Kamal Chowk to Reshimbagh flyover, in particular, navigates through several high-traffic areas, including Agrasen Square, which has emerged as a particularly complex segment due to its intersection with the elevated Metro line and dense local activity.
Officials explained that the construction approach at Agrasen Square had to be modified significantly. An auto-launcher, typically used for erecting spans, could not proceed beyond this point due to height constraints imposed by the overhead Metro viaduct. Consequently, the launcher was dismantled, and engineers switched to a ground-based support system for erecting subsequent segments. Adding to the complexity was the presence of the prominent Maharaja Agrasen statue, which was temporarily relocated to Agrasen Bhavan after religious rituals, with plans for its reinstallation and the beautification of the square upon completion. This project marks the first instance of a flyover being built perpendicularly beneath the Metro line in the city, with NHAI engineers meticulously maintaining 5.5-meter clearances between the ground and the flyover deck, and between the flyover and the Metro viaduct, adhering to Indian Roads Congress (IRC) safety and design standards. However, the deployment of ground support equipment and a temporary pillar has occupied a significant portion of the square, severely limiting vehicle movement and leading to daily traffic frustrations during peak hours.
Across Nagpur, the ongoing infrastructure development underscores the city’s growth challenges and commitment to modernization. While current traffic disruptions at Agrasen Square are a concern for commuters, the promise of expedited completion offers relief. This complex project highlights engineering ingenuity aimed at enhancing urban mobility and decongesting vital routes for the long term.
