Nagpur: The newly constructed four-lane flyover at Wadi on the Nagpur-Amravati National Highway 53 will significantly reduce travel time from Variety Chowk to outside Nagpur city to just 15 minutes. This development is expected to streamline traffic on the Nagpur-Amravati route, as stated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari during the inauguration ceremony held on Saturday, October 5, in Nagpur.

The flyover was inaugurated by Minister Gadkari, who was joined by local MLA Samir Meghe. Constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) through the Public Works Department at an estimated cost of ₹246 crore, the 2.3-kilometer flyover will cut the travel time from University Campus Chowk to Wadi Police Station from 25 minutes to just 8 minutes, thereby reducing congestion in the Wadi area.

Additionally, the ceremony marked the inauguration of the 4.89-kilometer white-topping cement concrete road from Variety Chowk to Bole Petrol Pump Chowk and from the University area to Wadi. The combined cost of these projects is approximately ₹323 crore. Both sides of the flyover feature dedicated bicycle tracks and adequate lighting, enhancing safety measures on the highway.

Minister Gadkari also shared updates on various developmental projects in the Wadi area, including the establishment of a world-class Agro Convention Center at Punjab Rao Agricultural University, with an investment of ₹450 crore. This center will include an air-conditioned auditorium with a seating capacity of 2,500 in memory of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vasantrao Naik. Furthermore, the convention center will host agricultural exhibitions throughout the year, providing job opportunities for around 10,000 youth from Nagpur city, the district, and the Wadi area.

He mentioned that lighting would also be installed under the flyover. During the event, Gadkari honored the officials from the National Highways Authority of India and the construction contractors involved in the project.

Local MLA Samir Meghe noted that the foundation stone for the flyover was laid by Gadkari in 2022, and it has been completed in just thirty months. He highlighted various other development works in the Wadi area, including underground drainage, construction of municipal buildings, and cement concreting of Hingna Road. The event featured a laser light and fire show to celebrate the inauguration.

The Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department of the NHAI, Santosh Shelare, welcomed the attendees, while the Superintending Engineer, N. V. Borakar, expressed gratitude at the conclusion of the program. Local representatives, residents, and officials from the NHAI were present at the ceremony.