Nagpur: The Second Capital of the State’s fast-changing skyline, dotted with flyovers being built by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is bringing little comfort to those living along the construction routes. While officials project a future of smoother traffic, locals say the present is dominated by rising dust, pollution and a lack of timely action from authorities.
Across multiple stretches, families have been compelled to install temporary sheds and protective covers outside their homes to keep construction dust at bay. In Pachpaoli, the problem has worsened since the demolition of one of the city’s oldest flyovers. Residents in the locality report a surge in doctor visits for respiratory discomfort, asthma-related complications and skin infections.
Locals discussed how the situation has become unbearable, especially with water sprinkling — once the primary dust-control measure — being inconsistently carried out. Many shared that elderly family members and those with existing respiratory conditions are suffering the most as constant dust clouds envelope the area.
Residents also pointed out that repeated medical consultations for breathing issues and skin disorders have become common, with neighbourhoods witnessing a spike in people seeking treatment. Attempts to reach out to officials, they said, have yielded little progress, leaving the community frustrated and vulnerable.
Many believe the issue is likely to remain unresolved unless a dedicated civic representative intervenes. With Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections approaching, locals feel the matter may only move forward once a new corporator takes charge. They claim that complaints registered with civic authorities often fail to translate into concrete action.
As construction continues across several pockets of the city, residents are urging authorities to implement strict dust-mitigation measures and provide immediate relief to neighbourhoods bearing the brunt of Nagpur’s ongoing infrastructure expansion.
