City’s deadliest black spots to get safer: PWD to build a dozen left-turn lanes

 

 

 

 

In a major push to enhance road safety across Bhopal, the Public Works Department (PWD) has launched a targeted initiative to redesign nearly a dozen accident-prone intersections by introducing dedicated left-turn lanes.

 

This move comes under the directive of the Supreme Court Road Safety Committee, chaired by former Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, who personally inspected 16 critical black spots in the city in August. Justice Sapre’s visit highlighted the urgent need for structural improvements at high-risk junctions, many of which have witnessed frequent collisions due to abrupt left turns and poor traffic management. He instructed local authorities to implement corrective measures and announced a follow-up inspection within six months to assess progress. Key intersections undergoing

 

transformation. The new design will divide existing roads to create a dedicated left-turn lane, allowing vehicles to shift left in advance. This will prevent sudden lane changes and reduce rear-end collisions, especially at signals where fast-moving vehicles often swerve unexpectedly. in charge of road safety at PWD Bhopal,

 

H S Jaiswal, confirmed that both Old and New Bhopal have been surveyed, and black spots have been mapped using accident data from 2022 to 2024. “We are implementing engineering corrections to ensure smoother traffic movement and safer turns,” he said. The project is backed by a budget of Rs 2 crore and is expected to be completed within the next three months. The urgency stems from the upcoming reinspection by the Supreme Court panel, which has emphasised accountability and timely execution.

 

According to traffic police data, intersections like Platinum Plaza (Atal Path Square) and Khajuri on the Indore-Bhopal Highway have seen multiple fatalities in recent years due to poor road design and lack of enforcement. With Bhopal’s vehicle population crossing 15 lakh and daily traffic volume surging, these improvements are critical to saving lives and reducing congestion.

 

The identified black spots have witnessed numerous accidents over the years due to high-speed traffic and dense vehicle movement. Areas like Jyoti Talkies Chouraha, PHQ Tiraha, Chuna Bhatti Road, and Kaali Mandir Tiraha (Talaia Thana) are particularly hazardous. These are bustling intersections where timely structural corrections are essential to safeguard commuters and reduce collision risks.