Indore: The deadline for the double-decker bridge has been extended by four months.

Madhya Pradesh: The deadline for the state’s first and most ambitious double-decker bridge, currently under construction at Lovekush Square, has been extended by three to four months due to lapses in deadline monitoring and technical challenges faced by the contractor. The bridge was originally scheduled for completion by December of this year.

All 247 large segments have already been launched using massive cranes, and preparations are now underway for the crucial bow-string launching phase. The bridge’s structure is now visible at the site, giving residents a glimpse of the transformative solution it will provide for traffic management.

Once completed, the lower deck of the bridge will carry metro services, while the upper deck, at a height of approximately 72 feet, will accommodate vehicular traffic. The project, costing over ₹175 crore, also includes converting the existing asphalt road beneath the bridge to a cement concrete surface to enhance its durability.

Notably, some of the longest and heaviest steel girders used in India, manufactured in Ahmedabad and Chandigarh, are being installed here. After installing the 40-meter-long steel girders, the authorities will now use approximately 65-meter-long central girders during the bow-string launching, which will require specially designed heavy-duty cranes.

Earlier, the authorities had completed a four-lane flyover connecting MR-10 to the Super Corridor at the same junction, significantly reducing the long-standing traffic congestion problem at Lovekush Square. This flyover also improved connectivity towards Ujjain and Banganga. Once the double-decker bridge is operational, traffic from Banganga will be able to travel directly towards Ujjain via the elevated route, further easing traffic on the surface roads.