2 days after opening, Pardi flyover shut one way due to waterlogging

Nagpur: Within two days of beig thrown open for traffic, the Pardi flyover witnessed logging of rainwater. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has closed one way of the flyover for traffic to rectifying the problem.
After a delay of seven years, the NHAI had brought three of the total five arms of the flyover into operation on September 19.
An NHAI official told TOI that water logging was reported between HB Town square and forest naka towards Bhandara. “The storm water drain network is in place on the flyover. However, some outlets got choked due to tarring. Therefore, we had to close one way for traffic on Thursday morning. Traffic will resume on Sunday morning,” he said.
With two-way traffic allowed on the same side, it led to confusion and traffic congestion. The NHAI said such diversions can be expected for the completion of pending works.
BJP state president and MLC Chandrashekar Bawankule and East Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde had inaugurated the flyover on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi. Khopde said the cause for water logging “has been identified” and “rectification works have been completed”.
Former Congress corporator Nitin Sathawane demanded immediate action on people who pressed for the opening of flyover for traffic without completing the works. “The bhoomipuja of the flyover was held in August 2014. Deadline for finishing-off the works was two years. A number of road mishaps took place during the works. The NHAI should have ensured completion of works before opening for traffic,” he said.
Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari had set a January 26, 2024 deadline for the completion of remaining works. Two more arms, a railway over bridge and under bridge, and a market is pending under the project.
During his inspection few days ago, Gadkari had suggested safety measures on the retaining wall of the flyover and some more works. NHAI is yet to complete these works too.