Bhopal Bureau
Summary: Bhopal’s city traffic police have announced a special traffic and parking plan for the city’s major markets from 4 to 9 November for Diwali shopping. The plan includes entry restrictions in the old city’s inner markets when crowds build up, a one-way system at 10 Number Market, and designated parking sites for every major market.
As Diwali approaches, shopper numbers in Bhopal’s markets are rising fast. Dhanteras falls on 6 November and Diwali on 8 November, so the heaviest pressure on markets is expected between 4 and 9 November. The traffic police have therefore drawn up a plan that asks shoppers to use designated parking sites, gives priority to public transport, and keeps loading and unloading of shop goods to night hours so that daytime traffic does not come to a standstill. This guide explains, market by market, where to park, which route will be one-way, and what shoppers and traders need to keep in mind.
Why a special plan runs from 4 to 9 November
In the days before Diwali, people visit markets to buy diyas, decorations, clothes, utensils, sweets and gifts. Large numbers of vehicles head towards the markets at the same time, while market lanes and roads are narrow. If every vehicle tries to enter the market core, a jam becomes inevitable. The traffic police have therefore arranged for vehicles to be parked at designated sites in and around the markets, so that shoppers on foot get space and routes stay open even in an emergency.
The arrangement is not for one day alone. It will remain in force from 4 November to 9 November, which means the same rules will apply on Dhanteras and on Diwali day itself. When crowds build up, entry restrictions in inner market areas may be applied, so it is important to know in advance which parking site serves your market. The plan also matters for people who use these roads every day, because some routes will be one-way and entry on some stretches will be restricted.
The traffic police have appealed to the public to park only at designated sites. Parking on the roadside closes one lane and creates long queues behind. Traders have been asked to carry out loading and unloading of shop goods only between midnight and 7 am, so that daytime jams do not build up in the markets. That single rule makes a big difference to traffic flow, because a loading vehicle parked on a market road during the day can block the entire stretch.
Old city: Jumerati, Chowk Bazaar, Hanumanganj and Azad Market
The old city’s markets are at the heart of Bhopal’s Diwali shopping. In the inner areas of Jumerati, Chowk Bazaar, Hanumanganj and Azad Market, entry of four-wheelers, autos and loading vehicles will be restricted when crowds build up. The restriction will not apply at all times, but will come into force as crowd pressure rises. Shoppers heading to these markets will therefore need to park at designated sites and walk into the market.
The designated parking sites for the old city are: Bal Vihar Ground, near Bhopal Talkies; the multi-level parking near Moti Masjid; parking near Kotwali police station; the site near Bhawani Chowk; and Central Library Ground near Bharat Talkies. Some of these sites will suit two-wheelers and others four-wheelers, so following the directions of traffic personnel on the spot will be the safest approach.
Three-wheelers and four-wheelers coming from Lakhreapura, Itwara and Ibrahimpura will not be allowed to proceed towards Chowk Bazaar. This has been arranged so that pressure does not build up in Chowk Bazaar’s narrow lanes. Shoppers coming from these directions should park at the designated sites and proceed on foot. People shopping in the old city should also avoid trying to take a vehicle deep into crowded lanes with heavy goods, and should instead plan how goods will be collected from the parking site in advance.
10 Number Market: one-way system and designated parking
At 10 Number Market, a one-way system will operate to keep traffic moving in the market area. Vehicles will be able to travel from Vande Mataram Square through 10 Number Market towards National Hospital. Entry towards 10 Number Market from National Hospital will be restricted. The one-way rule has been made so that vehicles coming from opposite directions do not meet head-on and create a long jam on the market road.
Parking for 10 Number Market visitors has been arranged at Bittan Market, the 10 Number municipal parking site and near Manohar Dairy. Shoppers can park at these sites and walk to the market. People coming from Vande Mataram Square will need to keep the one-way route in mind and use the designated route for their return journey. Trying to enter the market from the National Hospital side could invite a restriction, so planning the route in advance is better.
10 Number Market has shops selling clothes, decorations, gifts and everyday goods, so crowds are heaviest there in the evening during Diwali days. People visiting in the evening are advised to allow extra time and to include the walk from the parking site to the market in their plan. If a parking site is full, using a nearby alternative site will always be a better option than parking on the roadside.
New Market, MP Nagar, Santnagar and Bairagarh
Visitors to New Market should use the multi-level parking near TT Nagar police station crossing. When pressure rises, routes from Rangmahal and TT Cross may be diverted. In other words, roads towards New Market from these crossings could be changed when crowds increase, so drivers should watch road signs and follow the directions of traffic personnel. Large numbers of people visit New Market for Diwali shopping, so having parking arranged in advance is a relief for shoppers.
In MP Nagar Zone-1, multi-level parking has also been designated. People visiting MP Nagar markets should use this parking so that pressure does not build up on market roads. For Bairagarh, parking near Panchal Square has been designated. Bairagarh market also sees rising crowds during Diwali days, so parking at the designated site there is the right approach.
Santnagar has a slightly different arrangement. Traders will park at the multi-level parking at Panchvati Square, while customers will use temporary parking sites created near the new bridge by the public works department. Customers visiting Santnagar should therefore use the temporary sites near the new bridge. The distinction has been made so that traders’ and customers’ vehicles do not clash at the same spot and order is maintained around the market.
Today’s extra pressure and alternative routes
On 4 November, Bhopal is also hosting a large foot march that starts at 10 am from Atal Path and proceeds towards Roshanpura. Traffic arrangements for this programme have been changed from 8 am. Police estimates suggest that a large number of people could arrive in around 1,200 buses and about 2,000 four-wheelers for the programme. This is an estimate, not a final figure, but movement on such a scale means traffic pressure is likely around Bhadbhada Square, Bharat Mata Square, Jawahar Chowk, Mata Mandir, Roshanpura, 1250 Square, Apex Bank and Polytechnic Square today.
Alternative routes have been designated for commuters who are not heading to those areas today. One option runs from Mata Mandir via Link Road-2, Second Stop, Arjun Nagar and Jail Road. Another runs from Bharat Mata Depot via Smart Road to Polytechnic Square, and a third from MANIT via Nehru Nagar and Bhadbhada to Bharat Mata Depot. People heading to markets today are advised to keep these alternative routes in mind and to try to avoid roads around Atal Path.
Separate routes and parking have also been arranged for buses coming from different directions for the march, so that buses do not gather at a single spot. This arrangement is for today alone, while the markets’ plan from 4 to 9 November will continue through the entire festive period. In other words, even after today’s pressure eases, the parking and one-way arrangements for markets will continue, and shoppers will need to follow the same plan until 9 November.
Loading rules for traders, advice for shoppers
The most important rule for traders concerns the timing of loading and unloading. Loading and unloading of shop goods must be done only between midnight and 7 am. A loading vehicle parked on a market road during the day blocks all traffic on that stretch, so following this rule is essential for keeping markets moving. Traders should schedule their supplies within this window so that customers face no difficulty during the day.
For shoppers, the advice is to consider using public transport. Reaching a market by bus or another public mode removes the problem of finding parking and reduces pressure on market roads. If a private vehicle is unavoidable, park at the designated site, do not leave valuables visible in the vehicle, and include the walk from the parking site to the market in your plan. Evenings see the heaviest crowds, so completing shopping during the day, where possible, is a good idea.
Elderly shoppers, children and people carrying heavy goods should avoid peak crowd hours and travel with as little luggage as possible. Walking space in markets is limited, so insisting on taking a vehicle deep inside a market is best avoided. Following the directions of traffic personnel will not only make your own journey easier, but will also keep the route open for others.
What next: the same plan until 9 November, including Diwali day
The special arrangement will remain in force until 9 November, which means the same parking and traffic rules will apply on Diwali day, 8 November, as well. Crowds around markets and temples may rise further in the evening on Diwali day, so using designated parking sites on that day too will be the right approach. After 9 November, normal arrangements can be expected to return, though police may change arrangements on the spot if crowds persist.
The best strategy for shoppers is to spread shopping across 4 to 9 November instead of leaving everything for a single day. On Dhanteras, 6 November, markets see special crowds for utensils and decorative items, so extra time will be needed that day. Similarly, people buying diyas, sweets and puja items on Diwali day should keep parking and route information ready in advance.
In the end, the plan will work only if drivers, traders and shoppers all follow it. Parking at designated sites, obeying one-way rules, loading at night and giving priority to public transport — these small steps together can save markets from jams. Diwali shopping will be truly enjoyable only when reaching the market and returning from it are both easy.
Disclaimer: This news has been prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. If any fact is found to be incorrect, a correction will be published.
