Partly collapsed Panchsheel Square bridge blocked for pedestrians too

Nagpur: After the partial collapse of the bridge on road connecting Panchsheel Square and Jhansi Rani Square, the authorities have not only stopped vehicular traffic but also blocked the pathway for pedestrians from Tuesday. The Public Works Department (national highway division) on Tuesday declared that people on foot cannot use the bridge that caved in during last Saturday’s rains.

Pedestrians, mostly students who come from nearby towns and districts, now have to take a roundabout route and walk 900 metres as against 270 metres before.After a part of the bridge collapsed on early Saturday morning, the traffic police blocked Wardha road by erecting barricades at Jhansi Rani square and Panchsheel square. Plastic nets were erected at the entrance of the bridge, which prevented two-wheelers and four-wheeler drivers from using the road. This stretch of 270 metres is used by hundreds of pedestrians all through the day. They were allowed on Sunday and Monday as other side of the road over bridge was not damaged. On Tuesday, the PWD erected tin sheets on both two sides thus blocking the pedestrian path as well. People were seen walking from Jhansi Rani square and Panchsheel square upto the barricades and coming back. They had no choice but to take a longer route Jhansi Rani square-Munje square-Yashwant stadium-Panchsheel square and vice versa.Commuters of ‘Aapli Bus’ (the city public transport) also suffered as buses going towards Butibori and South Nagpur leave from Panchsheel square after the incident. Earlier, buses used to leave from two sides of the bridge. People coming from Morbhavan and Sitabuldi had to take longer routes to take the bus.Traffic police wrote a letter to PWD and asked to facilitate a temporary bridge for pedestrians. “Construction of a new bridge may take a long time. Many people walk through this stretch. Therefore, a pathway should be planned on one side of the bridge till the new bridge is built.”PWD and NMC are yet to remove debris of the broken bridge which is blocking the flow of Nag river below. Parts of the retaining wall etc have remained in the river.

Not rain fury but apathy led to Panchsheel Square bridge collapse

The collapse of the Panchsheel Square bridge in Nagpur has been attributed to negligence by authorities towards maintenance. Residents and shopkeepers had lodged complaints about the dilapidated piers and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) passed them on to the public works department (PWD). However, no action was taken, and the bridge collapsed during heavy rain. The incident has caused severe traffic congestion in the area. The closure of the bridge will divert traffic through congested areas, exacerbating delays. The bridge will now need to be torn down and rebuilt.

One lane on both sides of Panchsheel Square bridge to open soon

The Public Works Department (PWD) in Nagpur plans to reopen one lane on each side of a collapsed bridge to alleviate severe traffic congestion. The bridge, which was 63 years old and had not been repaired, collapsed during heavy rain. The PWD also plans to construct a new bridge to ensure that traffic can continue on one side at all times. Residents and shopkeepers in Nagpur blame negligence by authorities for the collapse, as the dilapidated piers and lack of maintenance were reported multiple times.

Panchsheel Square bridge to be built anew; traffic congestion set to rise

The bridge between Jhansi Rani Square and Panchsheel Square in Nagpur, which collapsed during heavy rain, will need to be demolished and rebuilt. This will cause significant traffic congestion in Sitabuldi and Dhantoli. The bridge, which was already old and damaged, collapsed due to the overflowing Nag river. Engineers from the public works department have stated that the only solution is to construct a new bridge, and work will be done urgently. In the meantime, the road will be closed and traffic diverted through alternative routes, causing further congestion.