Nagpur: The Sitabuldi flyover, one of the oldest and most frequently used flyovers in the city, is set to receive a new and sturdy height barrier on both its approaches within the next 10-12 days. The decision comes after the previous barrier, installed on August 8, 2024, was dismantled just a day later after a lorry crashed into it late at night damaging the structure badly.
According to officials, the need for a robust height restriction mechanism became evident after multiple instances of heavy vehicles, such as buses and trucks, using the flyover despite it being originally designed for two-wheelers and light four-wheelers like cars. The absence of a height barrier has led to safety concerns, particularly after the Butibori flyover accident, where a section collapsed when a heavy vehicle, which was not supposed to be on it, ran over it.
On January 2, TOI had reported that according to a source from the Public Works Department (PWD), the height barrier was ready, but installation was pending due to red tape.
A senior official from the Public Works Department’s (PWD) World Bank Project division on Wednesday confirmed that funds have been sanctioned for the new barrier. “Now, only the final agreement needs to be signed and a work order issued, after which work for installation of the height barrier will immediately start,” the official told TOI and added that the installation plan has been communicated to the traffic police as well.
Learning from past mistakes, the new height barrier is designed to be more durable than the previous one, which sustained significant damage upon impact with a heavy vehicle. “The new barrier has been made heavy-duty to ensure it can withstand force and remain intact,” the official said.
According to officials, the need for a robust height restriction mechanism became evident after multiple instances of heavy vehicles, such as buses and trucks, using the flyover despite it being originally designed for two-wheelers and light four-wheelers like cars. The absence of a height barrier has led to safety concerns, particularly after the Butibori flyover accident, where a section collapsed when a heavy vehicle, which was not supposed to be on it, ran over it.
On January 2, TOI had reported that according to a source from the Public Works Department (PWD), the height barrier was ready, but installation was pending due to red tape.
A senior official from the Public Works Department’s (PWD) World Bank Project division on Wednesday confirmed that funds have been sanctioned for the new barrier. “Now, only the final agreement needs to be signed and a work order issued, after which work for installation of the height barrier will immediately start,” the official told TOI and added that the installation plan has been communicated to the traffic police as well.
Learning from past mistakes, the new height barrier is designed to be more durable than the previous one, which sustained significant damage upon impact with a heavy vehicle. “The new barrier has been made heavy-duty to ensure it can withstand force and remain intact,” the official said.
