Riders suffer as Metro work diverts traffic to pothole-ridden narrow lanes

Bhopal: Road diversions are meant to ease suffering from traffic woes but on this stretch, the opposite seems to be playing out. Commuters using the diversion route between Depot Square and Jawahar Chowk are facing increasing difficulties amid ongoing metro rail construction work due to the poor condition of narrow road stretch behind the Hanuman Temple.

The condition of the road worsened after last week’s pre-monsoon showers, raising concerns over traffic disruptions ahead of the monsoon season.Due to metro construction, traffic moving from Depot Square towards Jawahar Chowk has been diverted through the road behind the Hanuman Temple after the main carriageway was barricaded and closed. The diversion stretch is riddled with large potholes, making commuting difficult, particularly for two-wheeler riders.

Waterlogging was also reported near the Jain Temple, close to Jawahar Chowk, following recent rains, adding to commuters’ woes.A local resident Uday Kumar said traffic moving from Jawahar Chowk towards Depot Square is often routed through nearby residential colonies. Residents complain that the increased movement of buses, goods carriers and other four-wheelers through colony roads has created congestion and safety concerns.

Metro construction is currently underway along the Bhadbhada Square–Depot Square–Jawahar Chowk corridor. Nearly 18 feet of the central portion of the road has been cordoned off for construction activities, forcing traffic onto narrow side lanes that have become severely damaged and accident-prone.The stretch witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day as it connects Ratibad, Neelbad, Kamla Nagar and Shyamla Hills with the city centre.

Several schools, colleges, sports academies, residential colonies and key government offices, including the State Cyber Crime Headquarters, State Tourism Department, Dial-112 Command Centre, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory and Directorate of Public Prosecution, are located along the route.Another commuter Mukesh Maran said that potholes and uneven road surfaces have developed on both sides of the corridor from Bhadbhada Square to Depot Square.

Dust generated by passing heavy vehicles has further added to the inconvenience for commuters and local residents.The Jawahar Chowk–Depot Square stretch remains particularly congested due to commercial establishments along both sides of the road. Vehicles parked outside shops further reduce the available carriageway width. Narrow footpaths located immediately alongside the traffic lanes increase the risk of accidents for pedestrians and motorists alike.Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Kaul said traffic police would conduct a joint inspection of the Bhadbhada Square–Depot Square–Jawahar Chowk stretch along with officials of the construction agency. “The agency will be asked to undertake necessary repairs before the onset of monsoon so that traffic movement is not affected. Traffic police will also write to the construction agency seeking priority repairs on the damaged diversion routes,” he said.