Traffic rules mocked in Bhopal despite police deployment:Helmetless riders, signal violators pass freely at 3-5 crossings

Traffic rules in Bhopal appear to have become little more than a joke on the city’s roads, with violations continuing openly even in the presence of police. A special traffic enforcement drive is underway across Madhya Pradesh from April 26 to May 10, but a ground reality check by Dainik Bhaskar at five major city intersections exposed glaring negligence. The survey found not only widespread disregard for traffic norms by commuters, but also serious inaction by police personnel. At three out of five major junctions, traffic violations continued openly despite police being present. Motorists rode past without helmets in full view of officers, who remained mute spectators as rules were flouted. Here is a point-by-point reality check of five of the city’s busiest intersections Lalghati crossing: Police present, but no action At Lalghati crossing, three police personnel were found deployed during the reality check, yet traffic violations continued unchecked. A large number of two-wheeler riders passed without helmets, while some also ignored traffic signals. All of this happened in front of police officers, but traffic personnel did not stop, fine or even warn a single violator. Rules flouted in front of police post At Budhwara crossing in Old Bhopal — considered one of the city’s busiest areas — there is no traffic signal in place. When Bhaskar’s team visited around 2 pm, two police assistance centres were seen locked, and not a single police officer was present at the crossing. Most two-wheeler riders passing through the area were seen without helmets. VIP Road (Gauhar Mahal-Ret Ghat): Vehicles Breaking Signals At Ret Ghat crossing on VIP Road, traffic police were seen resting under a passenger shelter while violations continued around them. Two-wheeler riders were seen travelling without helmets, while several motorists jumped red lights. During Bhaskar’s reality check, even serious violations like signal jumping drew no response from police. Polytechnic Intersection: Negligence even near CM House At Polytechnic crossing, located barely 600 metres from the Chief Minister’s residence, traffic management also appeared lax. Despite three traffic police personnel being deployed, a large number of two-wheeler riders were seen without helmets. Several motorists ignored signal rules as well, but officers stationed at the spot neither stopped violators nor issued fines. Old Vidhan Sabha Intersection: Negligence near Commissioner’s Office too Open disregard for traffic rules was also seen at Old Vidhan Sabha crossing, right in front of the Commissioner’s Office. During a reality check around 3 pm, no traffic personnel were found deployed and no visible monitoring system was in place to ensure compliance with rules. Several two-wheeler riders were seen travelling without helmets, while some vehicles also ignored traffic signals. Such negligence right outside a major administrative office raises serious questions over the city’s traffic enforcement system.