Poorly planned shade nets worsen traffic and miss purpose across nagpur junctions

Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) ₹65 lakh project to install green shade nets at 18 major intersections has run into trouble, with poorly planned installations triggering congestion at key junctions instead of providing relief to commuters.At Tukdoji Putla Square, the structures have blocked a crucial free left turn, forcing vehicles moving from Ajni police station towards Reshimbagh to queue behind bamboo poles and net frames. Motorists say the change has slowed movement significantly."Earlier, we could take a smooth free left. Now we are stuck in long queues," said an auto driver. Another commuter pointed out that the nets do not cover actual waiting points, limiting their usefulness.The situation worsens during peak hours as two-wheelers, autos, and cars crowd the narrowed stretch, leaving traffic personnel struggling to manage the flow.Similar issues have emerged along Central Avenue, exposing inconsistencies in execution. At Vaishno Devi Chowk, nets have been installed despite the signal operating on blinker mode, while Wardhaman Nagar Chowk—where shade is more necessary—has been left out.At Chhapru Nagar Chowk and along the metro corridor between Wardhaman Nagar and Telephone Exchange Chowk, commuters remain exposed to direct sunlight due to the absence of shade structures. At Telephone Exchange Square, nets have been placed in already shaded areas, leaving sun-exposed stretches uncovered.In several locations, a gap of nearly 15 feet between zebra crossings and shaded portions reduces the effectiveness of the installations.At Chitaroli Chowk, bamboo poles lying near Renuka Temple have further narrowed the road, compounding congestion.Civic activists have criticised the project as a cosmetic exercise carried out without proper traffic assessment, pointing to poor coordination between departments. "We will examine the concerns and issue directives to the decorators to ensure that the green net structures do not hamper moving traffic," a senior NMC official said.