NHAI’s Rs700cr Bhandara bypass project to ease traffic hassles

Nagpur: In a big boost to smooth flow of traffic between Nagpur-Bhandara-Raipur, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will construct a 14.80km six-lane bypass ahead of Bhandara city. The Rs700-crore project also includes a bridge over Wainganga River.
NHAI chief general manager (CGM) and regional officer Rajeev Agrawal said, “The Bhandara bypass (including Wainganga bridge) will be between 485-499.80km on NH-53 (old NH6), which will be another milestone.It will be constructed in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) mode. The best part is that the entire land acquisition process, which is a big hurdle, has been completed.”
Agrawal said Pune’s Shri Swami Samarth Engineers Limited had bagged the contract through tendering process and work is expected to start next month. The six-lane divided carriageway will be a boon for travellers who presently use the existing bridge to enter and exit Bhandara city.
“People face traffic snarls and congestion on the 3km existing road that passes through the city. It also increases travel time and consumption of fuel. The stretch of NH-53 passing through Bhandara city is part of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-III, the link of Raipur–Nagpur sanction of NH-53. The said reach is balanced to be developed into four-lane. At present, the stretch is two-lane,” said Agrawal.
On the necessity of the project, Agrawal said, “The Bhandara bypass is highly essential for better connectivity and hassle-free vehicle movement between Nagpur-Raipur section. The 600-metre six-lane bridge on Wainganga River will reduce traffic congestion.”
The regional officer said the 10.34 km greenfield length of the bypass is fully accessed-control by providing service road and additional road safety by providing two flyovers and 17 underpasses.
NHAI has obtained Stage-I forest clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and tree felling has been completed.