Vidarbha has received a major boost to rail-road connectivity with the inauguration of eight key infrastructure projects by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, including four road overbridges, three road underbridges and the long-awaited Lakadganj flyover in Nagpur.

The projects were developed under a 50:50 cost-sharing arrangement between the Ministry of Railways and the Maharashtra government. They are expected to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety and eliminate delays caused by railway level crossings. The inaugurations formed part of a larger programme in which 12 rail-road projects worth Rs 6.09 billion, executed by MahaRail, were dedicated to the public across seven districts of Maharashtra.

Addressing the event via video conference, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state aims to become “railway-crossing free”. He noted that out of 524 level crossings, a significant number are being eliminated through the construction of road overbridges and subways.

Among the key projects, the 1,372-metre-long Lakadganj flyover, built at a cost of Rs 1.35 billion, is expected to significantly ease traffic on the busy Old Bhandara Road corridor, improving urban mobility and connectivity in Nagpur and the wider Vidarbha region.