In a significant move to alleviate severe traffic congestion, the Khargone district administration has imposed a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles on the busy Indore–Ichhapur highway. The restriction, which will be in effect during daytime hours, is set to continue until January 5, 2026.
Decoding the Traffic Ban Order
Khargone Collector Bhavya Mittal officially announced the directive, stating that the movement of all heavy vehicles on this crucial route will remain completely prohibited from 6 am to 10 pm until the specified date in 2026. The decision was taken following instructions from the Indore Commissioner and in coordination with the collector of Khandwa district.
The primary trigger for this drastic measure was the extreme hardship faced by tourists and devotees traveling from Indore to the sacred town of Omkareshwar. Due to constant traffic jams caused by heavy vehicles, the journey, which should take a fraction of the time, was stretching to an exhausting eight hours or more.
Pilgrim Influx and Safety Concerns
The timing of the ban is strategically aligned with the anticipated massive influx of pilgrims. Authorities are preparing for the last week of December and the beginning of the New Year, a peak period for religious travel. It is estimated that more than 2 lakh (200,000) devotees may arrive daily for darshan at the revered Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and to take a holy dip in the Narmada River.
Beyond easing congestion, a critical safety consideration behind the ban is the Mortakka bridge near Barwaha. Restricting heavy goods vehicles is seen as essential to avoid any potential risk to the bridge's structure and ensure the safety of the thousands of pilgrims crossing it.
Detailed Diversion Plan for Heavy Vehicles
The administration has laid out a clear diversion plan to manage the flow of commercial traffic during the ban period:
- Heavy vehicles approaching from the Khandwa side will enter Barwaha tehsil and proceed via Deshgaon to Khargone–Dhamnod, eventually connecting to the AB Road.
- Vehicles coming from Indore will pass through Khargone district via the Deshgaon route to reach their onward destinations.
This rerouting is designed to keep heavy traffic away from the main pilgrim corridor while ensuring that goods movement is not entirely halted, balancing religious tourism with commercial needs.
The extended duration of the ban, lasting over two years, indicates a long-term strategy by the Madhya Pradesh authorities to transform the travel experience to one of the state's most important spiritual destinations. It underscores a commitment to improving infrastructure management for both safety and convenience.
