Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): An ambitious six-month drive has been launched here to eliminate 16 identified accident-prone black spots to enhance road safety.
This initiative is a sequel to an on-site inspection by Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, chairman of the Supreme Court’s Road Safety Committee and former Supreme Court judge.
According to the city traffic police reports, in the past four years, 121 accidents at these 16 black spots have claimed 27 lives, underscoring the urgency of the initiative.
Justice Sapre conducted on-ground inspections of eight major black spots on Friday and later reviewed ongoing improvements at two locations: Platinum Plaza and Tarun Pushkar Tiraha. He directed the departments concerned to expedite the work.
At Platinum Plaza, the redevelopment focuses on clearing the left turns to smoothen traffic flow. Tarun Pushkar Tiraha, where the absence of a left turn causes congestion, is also undergoing improvements, including the relocation of a smart pole. Work at this junction is expected to conclude within a month.
Redesign proposals for black spots near Red Cross Hospital and District Court intersections are being prepared and will be handed over to construction agencies such as the PWD. Similarly, redevelopment plans, including left-turn clearance and rotary improvements, are expected to begin soon at East BHEL Square, Awadhpuri and Ratnagiri Square on Raisen Road.
Meanwhile, the black spot near Paryavas Bhawan, which was shut down about 18 months ago, stands as a successful example of how targeted redevelopment can reduce accidents.
Flashbacks
Bagsewaniya police station intersection, one of the most dangerous spots, has recorded six accidents and four fatalities in the past two years. Plans are underway to redesign the area and the authorities are considering installing a rotary for better traffic management.
New areas of concern
Officials say the Mubarakpur intersection, on the Lalghati to Airport Road stretch, is likely to be added to the list soon. Constant over-speeding has made this spot increasingly dangerous.
Additionally, the Kilol Park Main Road and MANIT Tiraha have emerged as new concerns. The signal at Kilol Park has been non-functional for months and no signal has been installed at MANIT Tiraha since the removal of the BRTS lane.
Clearing left turns
City traffic police ACP Ajay Vajpai confirmed that most of the black spots would be fixed by clearing obstructed left turns and redeveloping existing rotaries, improving overall safety for commuters.
