The closure of Raisen Road between Piplani petrol pump and ITI trisection for Bhopal Metro construction has triggered severe traffic congestion across eastern Bhopal, with diversions pushing vehicles onto narrow residential roads and affecting commuters in areas housing more than five lakh people.
The affected stretch was closed on October 27 and is scheduled to remain shut until November 17 for metro pillar construction. The closure has disrupted travel to and from Piplani, Ayodhya Nagar, Anand Nagar, Nizamuddin Colony, Kokta and Raisen Road, with some commuters travelling several kilometres farther to reach their destinations.
Traffic has spilled into internal roads in residential colonies, making the final part of many journeys difficult during peak hours. Congestion has intensified along Raisen Road, Ayodhya Bypass, JK Road, Govindpura Industrial Area Road and roads leading to ITI. The situation worsened after rain left mud and slush on roads under construction, creating additional difficulties for two-wheelers and slowing vehicle movement.
The closure is coinciding with construction activity at three other locations. Metro and flyover work near Prabhat Square has narrowed turning points, while barricades along Raisen Road have reduced the available carriageway. Potholes on the remaining road surface have further slowed traffic.
Preparatory work for the Army Day parade has also begun on the road from Govindpura police station towards Awadhpuri. Dividers and rotaries have been removed, while potholes and loose gravel on the diverted stretch have complicated movement. Work has started on the section between Govindpura police station, also known as Sadbhavna Square, and Kalibadi. Officials said construction would be carried out on one lane at a time so that traffic could continue through the other lane.
A 10-lane road project is simultaneously under way on Ayodhya Bypass. With the main Raisen Road link closed and other roads narrowed or under construction, traffic has been forced onto routes with less capacity. Schools, colleges, markets and commercial hubs in the affected areas are also facing disruption, while the approaching Diwali period is expected to increase movement around markets and commercial areas.
The closure came after Raisen Road had already been experiencing congestion because metro construction barricades had reduced the road width and left limited space for two-way traffic. The available carriageway was also reported to be in poor condition before the latest diversion was introduced.
Traffic police officials have said steps will be taken to manage congestion on alternative routes. Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Kaul said the closure was necessary for metro pillar construction and expressed hope that the work would be completed within the stipulated period, allowing the barricades to be removed and traffic to return to the wider road.
Kaul also said further diversions would be required as preparations for the Army Day parade intensify. The Raisen Road closure is scheduled to continue until November 17, subject to completion of the metro construction work.
