HomeInfrastructureAtal Path Square in Bhopal Remains the Deadliest Spot for Traffic Fatalities

Atal Path Square in Bhopal Remains the Deadliest Spot for Traffic Fatalities

Atal Path Square in Bhopal Remains the Deadliest Spot for Traffic Fatalities

Atal Path Square, a critical junction leading into Bhopal’s central boulevard, has been identified as one of the city’s most dangerous black spots. Over the past three years, this intersection has claimed eight lives in just 16 accidents, cementing its reputation as a perilous stretch for commuters. Despite this grim record, urgent safety measures to curb the growing number of accidents remain largely unaddressed, with local authorities slow to implement concrete changes.

This 400-metre stretch of road near the Platinum Plaza has been officially designated as a black spot for 2024 due to its alarming accident rate. Although the traffic police have acknowledged the risks posed by this area, little has been done to improve the situation. The square remains devoid of critical road safety infrastructure, such as road markings, functional CCTV cameras, and speed control measures, which are essential to prevent further fatalities. One of the key factors contributing to the danger at Atal Path Square is the unchecked speeding, particularly at night. During these hours, when the traffic signals are often not operational, vehicles tend to accelerate without restraint, significantly increasing the likelihood of accidents. Senior traffic officers have emphasised the need for speed reduction measures to address this issue, warning that without proper controls, the intersection will continue to be a high-risk zone.
Traffic cops, speaking anonymously, pointed out that young motorcyclists often overspeed in the absence of police surveillance and CCTV coverage. This lack of monitoring, combined with the absence of deterrents, leads to frequent accidents. Despite repeated requests from the traffic police to the relevant road construction authorities to improve safety, there has been little tangible action. Although traffic signals were recently restored ahead of the Global Investors Summit, police officials remain concerned that this alone will not be enough to stem the tide of accidents.
To enhance safety, traffic officials have called for the installation of road markings and rumble strips to force vehicles to slow down as they approach the square. They also stress the importance of functional CCTV cameras to monitor and deter traffic violations, particularly red-light jumping, which is a common occurrence in the absence of active law enforcement. Road engineering experts have pointed out that vehicles approach the square at high speed from multiple directions, including Jawahar Chowk, New Market, and Mata Mandir. The road’s downhill slope from Jawahar Chowk only exacerbates the situation, as vehicles roll down with increased momentum.

In addition to rumble strips, road engineers recommend the installation of speed breakers on all four sides of the square. Road studs that light up at night would also enhance visibility and safety. Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Koul highlighted the urgency of these measures, particularly during night hours when the risk of overspeeding is at its highest. He emphasised that to prevent further fatalities, immediate action is required to introduce speed-reducing measures. DCP (Traffic) Sanjay Singh also expressed concern, noting that while the restoration of traffic signals at Atal Path Square was a step in the right direction, further safety measures, including rumble strips, are necessary to curb the high speed of vehicles entering the square. Traffic police have once again requested the concerned construction agency to prioritise the installation of these measures. The urgency of addressing the traffic safety issues at Atal Path Square is underscored by a concerning rise in road fatalities citywide. In 2024, Bhopal saw a nearly 20% increase in road accident casualties compared to the previous year. With 235 fatalities recorded in 2,900 accidents, up from 198 deaths in 2023, road safety has become a critical issue for the city. Senior traffic officers attribute the rise in accidents to overspeeding, closely followed by incidents involving drunk driving.

As Bhopal grapples with this growing crisis, Atal Path Square remains a focal point of concern for road safety advocates. Without timely intervention, the square is likely to continue claiming lives, further entrenching its status as one of the city’s deadliest intersections. It is imperative that authorities take immediate and decisive action to implement speed control measures, enhance surveillance, and ensure that proper road safety protocols are followed to protect lives and prevent further tragedies.

RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisment -spot_img

Most Popular

Latest News

Recent Comments