In a significant prelude to the much-anticipated launch of the Bhopal Metro, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a rigorous city-wide campaign against illegal encroachments and unauthorized advertisements. The sweeping drive, executed on Saturday, targeted obstructions across key localities to reclaim public spaces and ensure smoother traffic flow.
Major Crackdown Across Key Metro Routes
Acting on numerous complaints received through the chief minister's helpline, dedicated call centers, and its own monitoring systems, the BMC deployed multiple anti-encroachment squads across the state capital. The operation was conducted under the direct instructions of BMC commissioner Sanskriti Jain.
The drive focused heavily on areas along the upcoming metro corridor. A primary target was the approach road to AIIMS Bhopal, a crucial site for one of the metro stations. Other major areas cleared included Ashoka Garden, Jawahar Chowk, Bhadbhada Road, and Hamidia Road.
What Was Seized and Cleared?
The BMC teams took decisive action against a wide array of unauthorized structures and items cluttering footpaths and roads. The list of removed items is extensive:
- Unauthorized flooring and temporary bamboo sheds.
- Merchandise illegally stored outside shops, blocking pedestrian pathways.
- Stalls selling vegetables, fruits, blankets, and paan.
- Counters, tables, stools, and carts obstructing free movement.
- Vehicles parked in a manner that disrupted traffic.
Officials provided a concrete tally of the confiscated materials, showcasing the scale of the operation. The haul included five carts, 20 stools, seven tables, 11 boards, nine lights, and two iron frames.
Ongoing Effort for a Clearer Bhopal
The BMC has emphasized that this intensive drive is not a one-off event but part of its sustained effort to maintain order in public spaces. The timing, however, is strategically aligned with the imminent operationalization of the Bhopal Metro system.
By clearing footpaths and roads of illegal encroachments, the corporation aims to facilitate better pedestrian access to metro stations and ensure seamless vehicular movement around them. This proactive measure is expected to significantly enhance the commuting experience for citizens as the city prepares to embrace its new metro rail network.
