The ongoing construction of an elevated road, or flyover, on the busy Bhopal–Indore highway has plunged the bustling Bairagarh main market into chaos. The project, which cuts directly through one of the city's busiest commercial zones, is generating massive public discontent due to severe traffic snarls, deteriorating air quality, and glaring safety lapses.
Daily Life Disrupted by Narrow Lanes and Unchecked Dust
The construction agency has occupied a large portion of the central carriageway for the flyover work stretching from Halalpur to Sehore Naka. This has squeezed two-way traffic into narrow lanes on either side, creating a permanent bottleneck. Residents report constant coughing and discomfort due to the thick dust and increased pollution from the construction activity. The situation is particularly critical as the area houses several hospitals and schools, which are struggling to cope with the dual menace of gridlocked traffic and poor air quality.
Traders, while acknowledging the potential long-term benefits of the flyover, express deep frustration with the painfully slow pace of work. Many note that construction is visibly progressing only on a few stretches, while large sections of the road remain merely barricaded without any active work, prolonging the disruption unnecessarily. This prolonged inconvenience is now directly hitting their businesses.
Safety Emerges as a Paramount Concern
A major fear gripping the local community is the lack of adequate safety measures. Heavy machinery operates at height while dense traffic continues to flow underneath, with no safety nets or sufficient protective barriers in place. This fear was tragically underscored by a recent incident during a Road Over Bridge (ROB) construction in the Pithampur–Dhar area, where falling machinery killed two people and injured several others.
Shopkeepers in Bairagarh worry that a similar tragedy could occur here. "If any tool or construction material falls here amid heavy traffic, it could lead to a major tragedy. Who will be held responsible?" questioned a local trader. The traffic police have also flagged this risk, stating that carrying out construction amid such heavy traffic poses significant dangers to commuters.
Compounding Factors: Parking, Encroachments, and Police Checks
The core problems are exacerbated by several other issues. An acute shortage of parking space forces vehicles to line both sides of the road, narrowing the usable carriageway even further. Encroachments by hawkers and kiosk owners on service lanes and footpaths add to the clutter. The indiscriminate stopping of auto-rickshaws and other vehicles creates additional chaos.
A senior traffic police official admitted that the construction agency failed to plan alternate routes before starting the work, leading to a severe space crunch. The official also highlighted that managing traffic is extremely challenging, especially during peak hours and on days with multiple wedding events, as nearly two dozen marriage gardens are located along the Bairagarh–Khajuri and Bairagarh–Lalghati stretches.
Adding fuel to the fire, locals like electrical shop owner Gaurav Ramrakhyani point out that police helmet checks on the already congested stretch near the police outpost create additional, avoidable jams. Traders have also identified the movement of loading vehicles as a major cause of traffic blocks.
Calls for Action and Official Response
Faced with this multifaceted crisis, traders and residents have united in their demands. They are urging authorities to:
- Expedite the construction work to minimize the disruption period.
- Install mandatory safety nets and protective measures around the construction site.
- Plan and designate proper parking spaces.
- Increase traffic police deployment for better regulation.
- Take strict action against illegal encroachments.
In response, Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Kaul stated that heavy and commercial vehicles have been diverted via the Mubarakpur Bypass from Lalghati and Khajuri. He advised commuters to avoid the Bairagarh route unless absolutely necessary and to use the Lalghati–Mubarakpur Bypass or Khajuri–Mubarakpur Bypass as alternatives. Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari has said he will look into the matter and ensure compliance with all prescribed safety norms.
With the wedding season set to begin from January 15, residents and business owners fear the congestion and chaos will only intensify, putting further pressure on the authorities to find immediate and effective solutions.
