Nagpur Highway Bridges Finally Get Green Light After Six-Year Stalemate
In a significant development for Nagpur's infrastructure, three crucial bridges on the Katol-Warud national highway that have been pending for over six years due to protracted land acquisition and forest clearance delays have finally received a fresh work order. The Maharashtra legislative council was informed on Monday that this breakthrough came after the sanctioning of Rs136 crore for the long-stalled project.
Administrative Approval and Timelines
Public Works Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, responding to a starred question raised by MLC Abhijit Wanjarri, disclosed that administrative approval of Rs136.35 crore was granted in February 2025 for the remaining 4.51-kilometer stretch on NH-353J. This section encompasses the bridge locations at Paradsinga, Bharsinghi, and Jalalkheda. The tender acceptance letter was formally issued to the contractor on December 15, 2025, with a strict mandate to complete all work within one year.
Background of the Project Delays
The three bridge sites are integral components of a larger cement concretization project on the Katol-Warud road, which was originally approved back in 2017. Work on the substantial 35.935-kilometer segment—spanning from km 60/100 to km 100/565—was successfully completed in January 2020. However, the remaining 4.51 km, which includes these three bridges, could not proceed due to unresolved land acquisition issues and pending permissions from the forest department, creating a major bottleneck in the region's connectivity.
Safety Concerns and Interim Measures
Minister Bhosale highlighted serious safety concerns associated with the current infrastructure. The approach roads on both sides of the existing old bridges are situated on sharp bends, which have been responsible for numerous accidents and rendered traffic conditions hazardous. As an interim safety measure, tar renewal work was executed on the stretch in November 2025, and traffic continues to operate on the existing road. Signboards have been strategically placed at necessary locations to alert motorists. Once the new bridges and accompanying road are fully constructed, the problematic approach curves will be entirely eliminated under the revised alignment, significantly enhancing road safety.
Political Engagement and Oversight
The question in the legislative council was raised by MLC Abhijit Wanjarri alongside fellow members Satej Patil, Ashok Jagtap, Sudhakar Adbale, Dhiraj Lingade, Jayant Asgaonkar, and Rajesh Rathod. Their collective inquiry underscores the sustained political attention and oversight dedicated to resolving this critical infrastructure impasse, reflecting broader public demand for improved transportation networks in the Nagpur district.
