Nagpur: In a startling incident that has raised serious concerns about infrastructure safety, the Butibori flyover in Nagpur, dedicated to the public just three and a half years ago, has suffered significant structural damage. The incident comes as a shock, particularly since Nagpur is the home district of Union Minister for Surface Transport, Nitin Gadkari, renowned for his expertise in infrastructure development.
Two spans on the Nagpur side of the flyover have reportedly sunk, and sections of the bridge have broken. According to eyewitnesses, debris began to fall around 9:30 am on Monday, prompting immediate action from local authorities. The flyover has been closed to traffic, and barricades have been placed on both sides to ensure public safety.
According to media reports, two 30-meter sections had subsided significantly, with one portion sinking approximately 8 inches lower than the adjacent section. Passersby who witnessed the event reported the issue to the police. Officers promptly arrived at the scene, cleared the area, and halted traffic in phases. Initially, one lane heading toward Wardha was closed, followed by the complete suspension of traffic on the flyover.
Traffic Chaos on Wardha Road
The closure of the flyover has resulted in massive traffic congestion on Wardha Road. Queues of vehicles stretched 4-5 kilometers on both sides of the Butibori T-point. Heavy vehicles remain stuck in long lines, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
NHAI Attributes Damage to Overloaded Truck
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has attributed the damage to an overloaded truck (registration HR-55/N-7265) weighing approximately 150 tonnes. CCTV footage revealed that the truck approached the flyover from the Borkhedi toll plaza and moved along the edge of the structure instead of the center, causing a 100-mm subsidence in the cantilevered section.
In response to the incident, NHAI Project Director Sinha and Public Works Department (PWD) officials visited the site to assess the damage. Engineers, architects, and third-party audit teams are scheduled to inspect the flyover on Thursday to determine accountability.
Broader Concerns Raised
This incident has sparked debates over the quality of infrastructure in Nagpur, particularly in light of its recent construction. The damage to the flyover underscores the need for stringent monitoring and maintenance protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Authorities have assured the public that appropriate measures will be taken to address the issue and hold responsible parties accountable based on the inspection report. Meanwhile, commuters are advised to use alternate routes to avoid the affected area.
