Key Points
- A section of the Indora–Dighori flyover in Nagpur passes alarmingly close to a house balcony at Ashok Chowk, triggering citywide debate over planning and safety.
- The homeowner says there is no objection and calls it a non-utility area, planning to add noise-reduction measures once traffic begins.
- NHAI says the balcony is an unauthorized extension; the municipal body has been asked to remove the encroachment, with a 1.5 m gap cited between beam edge and structure.
- The 9.2 km flyover, touted as Nagpur’s largest, is built at an estimated ₹998 crore under NHAI supervision, featuring an elevated rotary and multiple ramps.
- Viral visuals have turned the spot into a talking point about urban planning, encroachment, and citizen safety, prompting calls for stricter town-planning enforcement.
Nagpur: A striking visual from Ashok Chowk shows the Indora–Dighori flyover’s elevated rotary skirting the balcony of a 150-year-old house, stunning commuters and sparking a storm on social media over “planning gone rogue.” The sight has become a local landmark overnight, raising questions about design, safety, and accountability in dense urban corridors.
Owner Says “No Problem,” Plans Soundproofing
Homeowner Praveen Patre, whose family renovated the heritage home in 2000, maintains that the balcony section is not a utility area and that he received prior intimation before construction, registering no objection at the time. The family plans to install noise-reduction solutions when traffic starts flowing on the flyover, signaling a pragmatic approach despite public concern.
महाराष्ट्र के नागपुर में बना ये शानदार फ्लाईओवर आपको भी देखना चाहिए। ये किसी विश्व धरोहर से कम नहीं। pic.twitter.com/td3pu1hlty
— Manraj Meena (@ManrajM7) September 13, 2025
NHAI: “Unauthorized Balcony,” Removal Sought
Project officials say the balcony protrudes beyond the plot boundary and constitutes an encroachment. They assert the flyover adheres to approved designs and safety norms, noting a roughly 1.5-meter clearance from the flyover beam’s edge to the building line. The municipal corporation has been asked to act on removal; the homeowner has reportedly received notices, though compensation remains disputed in public discourse.
Nagpur’s Longest Flyover: Specs and Scope
Billed as Nagpur’s largest flyover to date, the 9.2 km Indora–Dighori corridor aims to decongest key junctions like Kamal Chowk, Reshimbagh Square, and Dighori. The engineering plan spans divided elevated stretches, rail overbridges/underpasses, and a cable-supported elevated rotary with multiple arms to manage tight right-of-way in congested zones.
Planning vs Encroachment: A Teachable Moment
While many fault “poor planning,” authorities emphasize illegal construction in hyper-dense corridors complicates alignments and clearances. The episode has reignited calls for rigorous pre-construction clearance drives, transparent rehabilitation frameworks where required, and earlier public communication to avoid last-minute flashpoints and viral embarrassments.
What Happens Next
- Technical verification of setbacks and sanctioned plans by the municipal corporation, followed by action on unauthorized protrusions where confirmed.
- Possible installation of noise-dampening measures by the homeowner post-commissioning, and protective barriers/screens by project authorities if warranted by audits.
- Continued public scrutiny on compliance, safety buffers, and citizen communication around mega-infrastructure in dense neighborhoods.
