Nagpur: The newly constructed Ambazari bridge, located at the mouth of the Nag River, is set to open one lane for traffic on Friday. The bridge, built by the Public Works Department (PWD) at a cost of ₹7.50 crore, was completed in a span of 120 days.
The remaining side of the bridge still requires minor concrete work and will be opened once the construction is fully completed. The older bridge had to be demolished to increase its height, allowing for a smoother discharge of water from the Ambazari reservoir into the Nag River without obstructions.
The demolition of the old bridge led to significant traffic disruptions, forcing commuters to take detours and causing congestion on alternative routes between Hingna and the city. The city's traffic department, in response to these challenges, opened a temporary road through the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) campus to facilitate two-wheeler traffic. However, this road was closed during evening hours, and frequent honking by passing vehicles became a concern for the VNIT authorities.
The new bridge, once completed, will measure 21 meters in length and 24 meters in width. Its structure will feature two abutments at each end, with three spans of seven meters each, supported by two piers. Initially, the project's cost was estimated at ₹6.32 crore, but additional expenses related to utility shifting and other allied works led to an increase in the overall budget.
Although the deadline for the bridge's completion was initially set for September 30, it could not be met due to unforeseen delays. On Friday, the right lane of the bridge (approaching from the Krazy Castle side) will be opened to traffic, with two-way movement allowed to ease congestion. The expanded width of the new structure will provide improved traffic flow compared to the previous bridge, which was closed for use on June 12.
The full opening of the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time and alleviate traffic jams in the area, bringing relief to commuters in Nagpur.
