The ongoing construction of the Bhopal Metro has plunged a crucial city stretch into chaos, severely damaging the road and creating a hazardous environment for thousands of daily commuters and residents. The condition of the Bhadbhada Square to Depot Square corridor has deteriorated alarmingly, transforming it into a treacherous passage riddled with deep potholes, choking dust, and dangerously narrowed lanes.
Commuters Bear the Brunt of Crumbling Infrastructure
Nearly 18 feet of the central portion of the road has been barricaded for the Metro project, forcing all vehicular traffic to squeeze through the remaining side lanes. These lanes, bearing the weight of diverted traffic, have now broken down completely. The situation is particularly perilous for two-wheeler riders, who frequently lose their balance on the uneven, battered surface.
Adding to the misery, heavy vehicles involved in the construction work kick up constant clouds of dust. This not only reduces visibility for commuters but also blankets nearby homes, affecting the health and daily lives of local residents. The shoulders of the road are in no better condition, offering no safe refuge for vehicles in distress.
Police Alarms Ignored After Fatal Accident
The dire state of this stretch turned tragic on November 30, around midnight. A 22-year-old Chartered Accountant aspirant lost his life in a horrific hit-and-run incident near the Directorate of Public Prosecution. The youth was returning home after dropping off a friend when an unidentified heavy vehicle rammed into him from behind.
The impact was so severe that the victim was crushed under the wheels of the vehicle, and his face was badly damaged. The accident occurred moments before the convoy of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was to pass through the same route. Police personnel in the pilot vehicle faced difficulty clearing the body to allow the minister's convoy to proceed.
Authorities Pass the Buck as Crisis Deepens
Traffic police authorities have consistently raised red flags about the dangerous conditions. Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Kaul stated that they have repeatedly urged the Public Works Department (PWD) and Metro authorities to repair the stretch. However, these appeals seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
Frustrated by the inaction, a traffic officer confirmed that a formal letter will be sent again to the construction agencies, demanding they carry out necessary repair work immediately. The continued neglect highlights a critical lack of coordination between infrastructure development agencies and public safety enforcement, leaving citizens to pay the price.
The Bhadbhada-Depot Square stretch stands as a stark example of how public infrastructure projects, while aimed at future connectivity, can create immediate and deadly crises when basic safety and maintenance protocols are ignored. The need for urgent, responsible action is now impossible to overlook.
