E-Rickshaw Zones, No-Vehicle Markets; MP Alok Sharma Bats For Major Traffic Revamp In City | FP Photo
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): MP Alok Sharma held a high-level meeting on Monday with collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh, police commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra to tackle Bhopal’s mounting traffic congestion and encroachment issues.
ADM Ankur Meshram and officials from the PWD, Revenue, Municipal Corporation, MPEB and other departments were present in the meeting held at the Police Commissioner’s office.
The meeting saw Sharma express strong displeasure over the absence of RTO officer, highlighting the urgent need to streamline the city’s transport systems. He pointed out that electricity poles and transformers obstructing traffic are a major cause of frequent accidents and must be removed. A special “rock committee” has been formed to identify and clear such obstructions.
To regulate e-rickshaw operations, the city has been divided into six zones. Under the new plan, e-rickshaws will be allowed to operate within residential colonies, but banned from main roads. The traffic police presented a proposed model inspired by successful implementations in Delhi and Hyderabad. Sharma called the move a step towards increasing employment and supporting environmental sustainability.
A comprehensive engineering plan to remove traffic-obstructing roundabouts and enable smoother left turns will be prepared within eight days by the PWD and Municipal Corporation.
Acting on Sharma’s suggestion, Collector Singh has also asked the RTO to formulate a policy for identifying and removing old, condemned vehicles that contribute to pollution and occupy road space. These will be shifted to dumping yard and scrapped.
In a significant urban policy shift, authorities are planning to make MP Nagar a no-vehicle zone. Encroachments will be removed, and the entire parking system will be revamped. Similar actions will be taken in other market areas as well. Business associations will be consulted to ensure smooth implementation.
16 black spots
MP Sharma said that Bhopal currently has 16 accident-prone black spots. All relevant departments have submitted a list of intersections needing redesign, and administrative approval has already been granted.
Decongest plan
Additional initiatives under consideration include citywide installation of digital surveillance cameras, banning kerosene-fuelled vehicles and removal of roadside car markets and unauthorised animal vendors. Officials are also considering discontinuing monthly parking passes to prevent misuse and free up public parking spaces.
