The much-anticipated underpass at the Nageshi-Bandora junction near the KTC bus stand is almost complete, but work on the approach road has been delayed due to a two-month hold-up in shifting gas lines at the site.
The underpass, part of the highway expansion project from Khandepar to Safa Masjid undertaken eight years ago, could not initially be constructed at the KTC Bus Stand junction due to its proximity to the historic Safa Masjid. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had not permitted the construction of an underpass at the heritage site.
As a result, residents of Chirputem faced considerable inconvenience, being forced to travel an additional two kilometres to reach their homes. The absence of a direct access road or underpass also deterred passenger buses from travelling the extra distance to the KTC Bus Stand, causing further hardship.
However, according to the National Highways Authority, both the underpass and approach road works are nearly finished and will soon offer smoother access for buses and commuters.
Responding to repeated demands from locals, who had gathered multiple times at the junction urging a solution, local MLA and Power Minister Sudin Dhavlikar had promised to construct an underpass at the Bandora junction. That promise has now materialised with the underpass structure in place.
Chanda Parwar, Assistant Engineer, PWD, stated that the Gas Authority had been requested long ago to shift the gas lines along the underpass construction site. "However, due to the delay, the underpass construction was also held up. The PWD is now working to complete the project at the earliest," she said.