Indore BRTS Bus Stops Fully Removed as Per Court Order, But Traffic Woes Continue
A committee appointed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court officially confirmed on Monday that all bus stops along the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridors in Indore have been successfully dismantled. This marks a significant compliance milestone with a previous judicial directive aimed at streamlining the city's transportation infrastructure.
Committee Report Highlights Persistent Traffic Concerns
However, the panel's comprehensive report, submitted before the bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi, highlighted several critical traffic issues that continue to plague Indore's commuters. The committee, led by senior advocate Girish Patwardhan, was reviewing a batch of writ petitions concerning urban mobility and public safety.
Underutilized BRTS Corridor and Infrastructure Challenges
While acknowledging the complete removal of the BRTS bus stops, the committee pointed out that the BRTS corridor between Bholaram Ustad Marg Square and Holkar College remains largely unused by the general public. This underutilization is primarily attributed to the construction of flyovers at Bhanwarkuan and Holkar College, which have altered traffic patterns and reduced accessibility.
Officials from the city administration traffic committee, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), and the Indore Development Authority (IDA) engaged with the panel and assured coordinated efforts to address this specific concern. They pledged to explore solutions to enhance the corridor's functionality and public engagement.
Specific Traffic Hazards Identified
The committee's investigation revealed multiple localized traffic hazards requiring immediate attention:
- Vijay Nagar Square Obstruction: The Additional DCP (Traffic) flagged the problematic condition at Vijay Nagar Square, located in front of the local police station. Parked and seized vehicles are currently obstructing the right of way for citizens, creating bottlenecks and safety risks. The officer assured the committee that corrective measures would be implemented promptly.
- Satya Sai Square Bridge Road Condition: Attention was drawn to the poor state of the service road near the Satya Sai Square bridge, constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD). The report cited numerous potholes and the absence of a proper layer between road sections, posing dangers to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Indore Collector Shivam Verma, IMC Commissioner Kshitij Singhal, and IDA representative Mini Ravindran collectively assured the court of their full cooperation in resolving these cited traffic hazards. They committed to prioritizing repairs and enforcement actions to mitigate risks.
Broader Administrative and Infrastructural Issues
The report also addressed wider systemic challenges affecting Indore's traffic management:
- Religious Structures on Public Roads: Collector Shivam Verma informed the court that religious structures encroaching on public roads and hampering traffic flow have been identified. A detailed list of such structures will be filed in court before the next hearing, indicating steps toward potential relocation or modification.
- Critical Shortage of Traffic Police Personnel: A significant concern raised was the severe shortage of traffic police personnel. Against a sanctioned strength of 881 officers, only 660 are currently deployed, leaving a deficit of 221. This shortage impacts enforcement, accident response, and overall traffic regulation efficiency. The court directed the state's counsel to bring this issue to the attention of the Principal Secretary of the Home Department and the Director General of Police for urgent remedial action.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on May 7, 2026. The Collector, IMC Commissioner, and DCP (Traffic) have been directed to remain present in court to provide updates on the implementation of corrective measures and compliance with the committee's recommendations.
