Bhopal Metro construction:Rangmahal, Roshanpura among 13 traffic signals to be removed, likely to affect movements for 3 years

Construction of the Bhopal Metro Blue Line will lead to the removal of 13 major traffic signals and CCTV cameras between Ratnagiri Tiraha and Bhadbhada Square, to ensure uninterrupted civil and electrical work. 3-year project, heavy traffic concerns The project will run for three years, during which traffic at key junctions will be managed without signals. These areas already face heavy congestion, with over 2,000 vehicles passing through some points every hour. Experts say managing such volumes without signals will be difficult, especially with limited traffic police. Even now, regulating traffic at these intersections remains a challenge. Signals to be shifted, not scrapped The Traffic Department has written to the Bhopal Smart City Development Corporation, proposing relocation of signals and cameras to high-need areas. Around nine signals may be shifted to avoid unnecessary maintenance (AMC) costs. Metro work underway, traffic impact certain Soil testing has been completed at 550 locations along the 13-km corridor, and metro pillar foundations are being finalised based on geotechnical studies. The project involves an investment of several crores. However, traffic disruption is expected to be significant, as busy junctions like Rangmahal, Roshanpura, Piplani, Ratnagiri and Prabhat Chowk already witness heavy congestion. Traffic police also recalled that during BRTS removal, signals and cameras were taken down but maintenance costs continued despite them not being in use.