MP High Court Takes Action on Indore BRTS Traffic Woes
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued strong directives on Monday to address the severe traffic problems plaguing the city's Bus Rapid Transit System corridor. Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi heard multiple petitions concerning the 11.2 kilometer BRTS road that has become a major source of public inconvenience.
Court Demands Immediate High-Level Meeting
Recognizing the urgent nature of the situation, the bench directed the chief secretary to convene an emergency meeting immediately. This high-level gathering must include principal secretaries from both the urban administration department and the public works department. The court emphasized that this meeting should happen on top priority basis.
The judges specifically mentioned the need to address the emergency situation created by traffic movement issues on the BRTS road. They ordered that a detailed report from this meeting must be submitted by the next hearing date of January 28.
Contractor Faces Public Accountability
During the proceedings, contractor Dinesh Yadav appeared before the court through his advocate Piyush Goyal. The contractor expressed several difficulties in removing bus stops along the BRTS corridor as required by contract terms.
The court reminded all parties that this was a public interest litigation matter where everyone carries public accountability. Following this reminder, the contractor agreed to hold another meeting with Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kshitij Singhal and his representatives to resolve outstanding issues.
Commissioner Singhal assured the court that this meeting would receive top priority treatment. He promised to submit a comprehensive report by the next court hearing date.
Elevated Corridor Project Remains Active
Public works department officials, including the chief engineer and executive engineer, informed the court that the elevated corridor project originally conceived in 2019 remains active. They stated that the project will be implemented according to the state government's decision.
The engineers explained that barriers on the BRTS road cannot be removed until at least six kilometers of the elevated corridor gets completed. This revelation highlighted the complex nature of the infrastructure challenge facing Indore.
However, petitioners' counsel argued that the government lacked serious intent to implement the project. They pointed out that the scheme remained dormant from 2019 until 2024. Even if work proceeds now, they emphasized, completion would take at least two to three years, prolonging public inconvenience significantly.
The chief engineer countered these concerns by assuring the court that the project would be completed in approximately two years. He promised that authorities would pursue the elevated corridor with complete seriousness moving forward.
Immediate Construction Ordered for 3.1 km Stretch
Commissioner Singhal provided crucial information during the hearing. He revealed that out of the total 14 kilometer BRTS stretch, 3.1 kilometers falls outside the proposed elevated corridor and flyover zone.
Based on this information, the court directed the Indore Municipal Corporation to begin immediate construction of a central divider on this specific portion. The judges also ordered installation of proper lighting along this 3.1 kilometer section to improve safety and traffic flow.
Committee Report Submitted
A committee appointed by the court, chaired by senior advocate Girish Patwardhan with member Koustubh Pathak, submitted its detailed report during the proceedings. While the specific contents weren't detailed in open court, this report likely informed the judges' decisions regarding the BRTS corridor issues.
The court's intervention comes after years of complaints from Indore residents about traffic disruptions along the BRTS route. With the elevated corridor project facing delays and implementation challenges, the High Court has stepped in to ensure both immediate relief measures and long-term solutions receive proper attention from authorities.
