Nagpur set to introduce landmark tunnel underpass road

Nagpur, often referred to as the second capital of Maharashtra due to its prominence, is on the cusp of a notable addition to its transportation network. This city is poised to introduce its inaugural tunnel – an underpass road connecting Tekdi Road to the Institute of Science via Morris College Square on Wardha Road. This ambitious project has received the green light, backed by a financial injection of Rs 800 million, sanctioned by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.

Gadkari himself unveiled this significant announcement during a recent event held within the city. The tunnel is set to be named in honour of the late Dattaji Didolkar, a prominent founding member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The funding for this visionary initiative has been sourced from the Central Road Fund (CRF), underscoring the government's commitment to alleviating Nagpur's traffic congestion, particularly at the bustling Morris College Square.

The proposed tunnel has been strategically designed to mitigate traffic congestion and enhance the overall vehicular flow. Beginning before the Morris College Square on Tekdi Road and culminating near the Institute of Science, the tunnel's trajectory aims to facilitate seamless transit while reducing the reliance on surface-level intersections.

Taking proactive steps to expedite the project's execution, Gadkari has engaged the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Mahametro) to oversee both the design and construction phases. Despite the existence of several railway under bridges in Nagpur's urban landscape, the introduction of a tunnel underpass road – a previously absent transportation feature – marks a significant development.

This pioneering effort isn't the first of its kind to be conceptualised by Gadkari. In the past, proposals for tunnels at locations like Futala Lake and Ajni railway quarters were considered, although they were not successfully realised. Mahametro is already deeply involved in formulating a comprehensive design for the project, indicating promising advancement.

The forthcoming tunnel will offer commuters an array of conveniences, granting direct access to the railway station, Tekdi Ganesh temple, Cotton Market, and Central Nagpur from Civil Lines. An added benefit is the avoidance of the signal at Morris College Square, which is poised to expedite travel times and alleviate traffic congestion.

It's noteworthy that the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had previously undertaken a road development initiative, stretching from Morris College T-Point to the Institute of Science at a cost of Rs 50 million. However, this 615-meter-long thoroughfare has yet to experience a substantial influx of traffic, highlighting the potential impact that the proposed tunnel underpass road could bring to the city's transportation landscape.