Nagpur flyover crossing through balcony: NHAI passes buck to NMC, which says it will look structure’s legality

The 8.9-km Indora Chowk–Dighori Chowk elevated corridor on NH-353D, executed by NHAI, is one of the city’s most ambitious highway projects, executed after a detailed design and months of groundwork.

A letter dated October 11, 2024, from the NHAI Project Director to NMC’s Gandhibagh Zone mentions that “2–3 shops are obstructing the area required for the rotary’s outer beam.” The letter requested NMC to verify and clear the site to ensure safety and prevent construction delays.

Yet, instead of clearing the land, the contractor moved ahead with construction, officials said.

When asked, an NHAI Project Director admitted the oversight, “We had flagged this as encroachment and written to NMC. I think the contractor started work while discussions with the family were ongoing. Since this has been highlighted, we are planning to remove the encroachment,” General Manager Tech & Project Director at National Highways Authority of India, C M Sinha told The Indian Express.

The NHAI said the road alignment runs on the inner side of the flyover and that there is no immediate danger to the family residing there.

NMC officials say the site lies in a notified slum area, meaning they must issue a 15-day notice before clearing any structure.

“We will perform document verification. If anything is illegal, we will take action. But it hasn’t been confirmed yet,” said Ganesh Rathod, Assistant Commissioner, Gandhibagh Zone.

The Patre family, which lives there, said they were notified earlier this year about their 1.5-metre balcony extension and cooperated with construction teams, expecting the structure to be adjusted or removed later.

“We didn’t object because the road isn’t on our balcony. It’s just a beam passing through; the road will be above it. We understood the need. Now people are making it viral for publicity,” said Srushti Patre.

The family received a notice on Thursday and met with officials.

“The house happens to be on the roundabout where the flyover is being built, so the issue occurred. We have no problem; others are making it one. It went viral for fun, but there’s no real issue. It’s just a beam, not the road — the road is far away,” she said.

The family says their home would remain intact even if the balcony is demolished, but the shops beneath provide livelihoods for multiple families, which would be affected.

“The flyover work isn’t complete yet; the inner ring is still under construction. The family faces no threat, as their home is on the outer side and the road will run inside,” Sinha said.

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