BHOPAL’S busy Polytechnic Square is set for a major traffic makeover, with the traffic police drawing up a plan to widen the carriageway and improve vehicle movement at the intersection. The proposal, prepared in coordination with multiple departments, includes modifications to the traffic signal system and the existing junction layout to ease daily congestion. Smaller rotary to create space: Under the proposed plan, the diameter of the rotary at Polytechnic Square will be reduced to create additional road space. Officials believe the move will provide vehicles with more room to turn and move through the intersection, making it easier for traffic arriving from different directions to cross the junction and reducing long queues. Boundary wall to move back: To widen the turning area, the boundary wall of a government bungalow located at the corner of Professor Colony will be shifted backwards. Officials also plan to reduce the size of dividers along the road towards Retghat, freeing up space currently occupied by the footpath and divider structure and increasing the effective width of the carriageway.

 

Junction handles heavy VIP traffic: Polytechnic Square is a key traffic junction connecting routes towards the Chief Minister’s residence, Raj Bhavan, Smart City and Roshanpura. Traffic coming from the Retghat side places the greatest pressure on the junction. With vehicles moving through the intersection throughout the day, traffic frequently slows down, particularly during busy periods. Boat Club traffic worsens evening congestion:Traffic congestion becomes particularly severe during evening peak hours. The problem intensifies on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays when large numbers of people head towards Boat Club and Upper Lake. The traffic signal generally remains switched off on normal days, but is activated when traffic volume increases to regulate vehicle movement. Ground work likely to begin soon: Officials said the proposal has received approval during high-level meetings held with the departments concerned. Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said work on widening the road and reducing the rotary would begin soon in co-ordination with the relevant departments, with the aim of providing commuters relief from recurring congestion.