The National Highway division of the Maharashtra Public Works Department has missed the September 2026 deadline for concretising a 2.6 km stretch of Wardha Road in Nagpur. The department has requested a 10-month extension to complete the remaining work on the section between Rahate Colony Square and RBI Square along National Highway 44.

The project, valued at Rs. 250 mn, includes road widening and construction of a concrete carriageway. Work has been completed on both sides of the road between Rahate Colony and Panchsheel Square, while the section from Panchsheel Square to Rani Jhansi Square remains closed to vehicular traffic to allow construction activities to continue.

PWD officials have attributed the delay to the heavy volume of traffic on the arterial route and difficulties in obtaining permissions for traffic diversions from civic authorities. Construction has also been interrupted repeatedly because of VIP convoy movements, affecting the pace of execution and the department’s ability to maintain uninterrupted work schedules.

The project scope also includes proposed footpaths and dedicated cycle tracks. However, the PWD has said that the feasibility of building the cycle tracks will be assessed only after the main carriageway is completed and opened for traffic. This leaves the final configuration of some pedestrian and cycling facilities undecided while the primary roadwork remains in progress.

Road width has improved along the completed section near the Shaheed Gowari Flyover in Rahate Colony, but commuters continue to face congestion and diversions on one of Nagpur’s busiest routes. The phased closure between major junctions has added to travel delays, with traffic having to use alternate approaches during construction. The requested extension is intended to provide additional time for the remaining execution phases and associated road amenities.