The critical road corridor connecting Depot Square to Jehangirabad in Bhopal has become a daily nightmare for commuters, plagued by severe traffic jams, dangerous conditions, and seemingly endless delays. The situation, a result of administrative mismanagement and ongoing Metro rail construction, has brought vehicular movement to a crawl, with officials fearing it will deteriorate further.
A Perfect Storm of Congestion
The stretch from Depot Square to Murgi Bazaar in Jehangirabad, passing through major junctions like Jawahar Chowk, Rang Mahal, Roshanpura, Raj Bhavan, and the Police Control Room (PHQ), is now synonymous with traffic chaos. The core issues are twofold: a massive increase in vehicle numbers over two decades on an unchanged road width, and the ongoing Metro construction which has significantly eaten into the available carriageway.
A senior traffic officer stated bluntly that the road lacks the capacity to handle current traffic volumes and that widening is the only long-term solution. However, no concrete efforts towards widening are visible. The commencement of full-fledged Metro work is expected to add immense pressure on this already overburdened arterial road.
Bottlenecks and Blame Game
The physical constraints are stark. At Depot Square, a large portion of the central road is barricaded for Metro work near Unique College, leaving only narrow passages. Between Depot Square and Jawahar Chowk, illegal parking near kiosks and shops chokes movement. Congestion repeats near hospitals in the Old MLA Quarters area and at Jawahar Chowk due to the vegetable market's hustle.
From Jawahar Chowk to Rang Mahal Square, slow-moving handcarts and e-rickshaws restrict flow. Evenings are worse near Rang Mahal Square due to traffic from the Bhopal Utsav Mela side. Beyond this point, stationed e-rickshaws and buses further hamper progress. Traffic jams between Lal Parade Ground and PHQ, extending to Jehangirabad, have become routine, especially during evenings and weekends.
Authorities are passing the blame. One senior officer highlighted norms stating that construction agencies must provide equivalent alternative road space. The agency had proposed removing traffic signals and CCTV cameras at key squares, but traffic police objected, insisting on relocation for essential management during construction.
No Relief in Sight, Republic Day Concerns
Compounding the problem is the lack of synchronized traffic signals, forcing vehicles from Depot Square towards PHQ to halt at multiple junctions. While an alternate route via Polytechnic or Banganga Square to Khatlapura exists, the closure of the MLA Rest House route to Jail Road has limited options.
Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Kaul acknowledged the persistent congestion despite police deployment. He emphasized that Metro authorities must coordinate closely with traffic police, PWD, and the municipal corporation to minimize public inconvenience. Kaul raised a critical point: this road connects Old City with New Bhopal, leads to Vallabh Bhavan, and is used for VIP movement. With Republic Day events approaching at Lal Parade Ground, strategic traffic planning becomes crucial to avoid complete gridlock.
For now, the citizens of Bhopal brace for more delays and danger on this vital stretch, caught between the promise of future Metro connectivity and the painful reality of present-day chaos.
