Bhopal: For the past six months, the ongoing road work on a stretch from Bittan Market to a mall has been exacting significant costs from commuters, businesses, and residents in the area. The nature of these costs ranges from injuries and traffic jams to losses for eateries and endless trouble navigating uneven patches. Experts say the situation could worsen once the monsoon arrives.
Recent Incidents Highlight Dangers
Recently, a middle-aged woman fell off her two-wheeler as it slid on an uneven patch of road from Bittan Market to 1100 Quarters on Tuesday. She came away with minor scratches, but such incidents are becoming routine on the entire stretch from Bittan Market to Aura Mall, where the tar road is being converted into a concrete-cement (CC) road post-monsoon. Despite the mounting risks, the road work continues with no end in sight.
Residents Speak Out
Shantanu Shukla, a resident of Arera Colony, described the driving experience as a jarring see-saw ride despite some patches of CC road. “This is because the road is not smooth; there are gaps, and at places, there is no road at all,” he said. Arti Saxena, a resident of Trilanga, noted that two-wheelers wobble, cars crawl, and pedestrians navigate through dust, debris, and poorly marked diversions that are often invisible after dark. She questioned why such work is being carried out in high-density areas without basic safeguards.
Police Response
Additional DCP Sanjay Pawar said no fatal accidents have been reported so far, though complaints about congestion and poor road conditions are frequent.
Businesses Suffer
Roadside vendors, shop owners, and restaurant operators along the stretch report that their businesses have taken a hit because access roads to their establishments have remained closed for up to a month at a time. Deepak Sahu, a fruit vendor, said sales have dropped as fewer customers are willing to navigate the stretch beyond Bittan Market toward Trilanga. “The dust and digging are hurting us. Some vendors have already shifted to other places,” he said.
Expert Analysis
Road expert and faculty member at MANIT, Rahul Tiwari, said the problem begins at the drawing board. “No proper contour analysis was done to assess how rainwater would flow. Road levels should have been fixed keeping natural water movement in mind. Wherever required, the road should have been cut and adjusted accordingly. That hasn’t happened,” he said. Contouring maps how water moves from higher to lower ground, and ignoring it can lead to waterlogging. Tiwari also flagged concerns over surface quality, noting that the roughness index on newly laid CC roads appears high, affecting commuter safety. He also expressed concern about stormwater drainage, stating that in parts, drains exist but do not connect, and there is no proper network.
Official Statement
Chief engineer Sanjay Muske said the project is likely to be completed by June, adding that nearly 90% of work at Vande Mataram Chauraha near 10 Number market is done and will be opened soon. On the ground, however, relief still appears distant.
