Bhopal's Western Bypass: A road through environmental concerns

A new 40.90-kilometer Western Bypass is proposed to connect Itayakalan in Mandideep to Phanda Kalan, aiming to complete the incomplete 52-kilometer Ring Road, which stretches 11 miles from Bhauri to Misrod, in the western part of the city.

Environmental activists emphasise that western Bhopal's ecological significance stems from its water sources and green cover. They warn that the bypass construction threatens this delicate ecosystem, potentially damaging both wildlife habitats and water security. The project has already triggered land speculation in the area, with farmhouses, restaurants, and commercial plots emerging in tiger movement corridors.

While the MP Road Development Corporation (MPRDC) promises wildlife protection measures like underpasses and overpasses, concerns persist. 

The project is currently in the forest clearance phase, with Rs 154 crore allocated for land acquisition across 31 villages. However, the process faces scrutiny amid allegations of irregularities, raising questions about the balance between development and environmental preservation in Bhopal's western region.

Completing the ring: Bhopal's western bypass

The Bhopal Development Plan 2031, unveiled in March 2020, includes the Western Bypass Road project to complete the city's ring road system. The 40.90 km bypass will connect Itayakalan village near Mandideep (NH-46) to the Phanda Kalan toll post on the Bhopal-Indore Highway (SH-28), running through Kolar and Ratibad.

Estimated at Rs 3000 crore, the project allocates Rs 1323 crore for road construction, Rs 427 crore for land acquisition, and additional funds for utility changes and environmental management. The Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Limited is overseeing the project, with LN Malviya Infra Projects Private Limited preparing the detailed project report.

The planned 6-lane infrastructure includes a four-lane road with service roads on each side. The project requires acquiring 613.92 acres of private agricultural land across 31 villages and diverting 45 hectares of forest land, for which initial approval has been granted.

Timeline of the project

The long-stalled project gained momentum in September 2023 when the Social Impact Assessment Report was completed, followed by MPRDC issuing construction tenders. In January 2024, Agra-based PNC Infratech Company secured the construction contract under the Hybrid Annuity Mode, with a 24-month completion deadline and 15-year maintenance responsibility.

MPRDC formalised the agreement with PNC Infratech in March 2024, and the Bhopal District Administration allocated Rs 154 crore for the project. However, the land acquisition process faced setbacks when allegations of irregularities were reported to multiple authorities, including the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

In response, the PMO directed the MP government to investigate these claims. Consequently, the MP Public Works Department established a four-member inquiry committee on October 8, 2024. Further land acquisition remains suspended pending the committee's investigation findings. 

MoRTH (The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) has blacklisted PNC Infratech and its subsidiaries (PNC Khajuraho and PNC Bundelkhand) for one year starting October 18, 2024, barring them from ministry tenders. The ban follows irregularities in the construction of Four Lane Road on the Jhansi-Khajuraho section (NH-75/76) in MP and UP. While this won't affect the Bhopal Western Bypass project, the Delhi High Court has rejected PNC Infratech's petition challenging the ban.

Threatening the city's water source: impact on Bhoj Wetland

Before knowing how Bhoj Wetland will be affected by the construction of this road project, we will have to know what Bhoj Wetland is. As you know, Bhopal city is known as the city of lakes due to the many water bodies located here. The most important among these is Bhoj Wetland, which includes Upper Lake and Lower Lake. It was declared a Ramsar site in the year 2002. 

The Upper Lake, also known as Bada Talab, is a man-made lake, constructed in the 11th century by building an earthen dam across the Kolans River, and the Lower Lake was constructed around 200 years ago, mainly from the overflow of water from the Upper Lake.

With a catchment area of ​​361 sq km spread across Bhopal and Sehore districts, the Upper Lake is surrounded by Van Vihar National Park on the south, human settlements on the east and north, and agricultural fields on the western side. 

This huge lake is a major source of potable water for a population of over 4 lakhs in Old Bhopal and is rich in biodiversity, especially local and migratory birds, macrophytes, phytoplankton, zooplankton, numerous species of fish, insects, reptiles, and hundreds of aquatic animals. The lake has received an international tag for its biodiversity and is the habitat of the endangered Sarus crane.

The environmental risks of this road project cannot be gauged from a distance, but a closer look reveals that the project will pass through the southwestern part of the city. The project route in the western part includes a sparsely populated and open landscape, which is the catchment area of ​​Bhoj Wetland. This project route passes through 12 villages (Jhagaria Khurd, Mundla, Kharpa, Narela, Tilakhedi, Jatkhedi, Kakoriya, Borkhedir, Rasuliya Ghat, Dobi, Pipaliya Dhakad, and Phanda Kalan) of the catchment area of ​​Bhoj Wetland and 2 rivers, Kolans and Uljhawan. The construction of this road will damage the catchment area of ​​Bhoj Wetland and other rivers.

Former minister Deepak Joshi expresses concern:

"The city is rapidly losing its green cover due to smart city, road, and other projects. Illegal construction has already impacted Bada Talab's catchment area. The bypass will further affect three dams—Kolar, Kerwa, and Kaliyasot—and two rivers."

A 2007 ISRO report, prepared under Supreme Court orders, identified 69 critical water bodies in Bada Talab's catchment area that are now endangered. This report has led to recommendations for restricting construction activities in the catchment area under the Bhopal Master Plan 2031.

Environmental activists and the South Western Movement Bypass Road Steering Committee Coordinator, Dr. Rajiv Jain, emphasise the significance of the western region:

"The rural catchment area, comprising 80 percent of the total wetland catchment, has remained largely untouched, helping preserve Bhoj Wetland. The Kolans River serves as the primary water source, and the new bypass will disrupt the crucial drainage network, affecting water quality, groundwater, migratory birds, and local climate."

Environmentalist Subhash C. Pandey adds:

 "The 12-kilometre stretch through 12 catchment villages and the Kolans river flow area will disrupt natural water flow to Bada Talab, potentially causing floods in other areas."

However, MPRDC Chairman Avinash Lavania defends the project:

"The road will maintain a distance of 1.5 to 2 kilometres from rivers and catchments. We'll construct bridges and culverts following wetland rules to protect water bodies and catchment areas."

Pandey criticises the Wetland Conservation and Management Rules 2017, noting its limitation of protecting only 50 meters around wetlands:

"The rules fail to protect catchment areas, even for Ramsar sites. Without catchment protection, these wetlands face eventual disappearance."

When concrete meets wildlife

Approximately 6 km of the Western Bypass project falls within the forest area in Borda village. While the Regional Empowered Committee has granted conditional approval for the first phase of forest land diversion (45 hectares), final clearance awaits the resolution of several environmental concerns.

Former MP Wildlife Board member Abhilash Khandekar highlights critical oversights in MPRDC's proposal:

"The DPR mentions cutting 3,259 green trees on forest land but omits details about trees on 248.523 hectares of non-forest land. It also fails to address Bhopal's unique urban tigers, despite discussing Ratapani tiger conservation."

MPRDC has committed to compensatory afforestation, planning to plant trees across 90 hectares in Amjhara village over 11 years. MPRDC MD Avinash Lavania outlines wildlife protection measures:

"We'll construct underpasses and 10-12 foot-high fencing along the road. The project includes 2 mega junctions, 30 minor junctions, multiple bridges, underpasses, and culverts for water drainage."

However, environmental activist Rashid Noor Khan, who has filed several NGT petitions for tiger protection, expresses serious concerns:

"Bhopal is unique as the only city with tigers within municipal limits. The southwestern region is crucial for tiger breeding. Even with underpasses and overpasses, increased traffic and commercial activities will harm wildlife."

Local citizens and environmentalists warn about long-term consequences, predicting that the bypass will accelerate land use changes and construction activities in wetland catchment areas. They argue that increased human interference will lead to declining greenery and water sources, threatening both wildlife and Bhopal's ecological balance.

The project currently awaits environmental clearance, with the Centre requesting forest land demarcation from the DFO and an approved management plan from the Wildlife Institute, Dehradun.

Ignoring alternatives

Dr. Rajiv Jain points out: 

"Eastern Bypass Road already diverts traffic from Sehore-Indore via Mandideep through Bhairopur-Aravaliya-Phanda Kalan."

Activist Rashid Noor endorses this view, noting the Eastern Bypass's existing connectivity to Hoshangabad, Raisen, Sehore, and Indore as a better alternative. Abhilash Khandekar adds that current traffic volumes don't justify a new bypass.

Environmentalist Subhash C. Pandey suggests upgrading the existing Bhopal-Raisen route through Neelbad, Ratibad, Sarwar, and Jhagaria to six lanes instead:

 "This would reduce construction costs and protect the catchment area."

Former minister Deepak Joshi criticises the project's final 12-kilometre stretch between Jhagaria Khurd junction and Panda Kalan as unnecessary, suggesting it merely benefits toll companies. Dr. Jain agrees, proposing that connecting the bypass to the existing Bhopal-Sehore four-lane road would reduce costs while utilising the infrastructure that already passes through the Bhoj wetland catchment area.

Conservation vs. Construction

Local citizens advocate for preserving western-southern Bhopal's current state and cancelling the bypass project. The matter has reached international attention, with the Ramsar Convention requesting a report from the Indian government about the project's impact on Bhoj Wetland.

While the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change assured Parliament in August 2024 that Bhoj Wetland's Ramsar status isn't threatened, their report notably omits the bypass project's environmental impact. Dr. Rajiv Jain points out an ironic development: "The state government nominated Bhopal for Wetland City Accreditation in January 2024, yet one department spends lakhs on lake conservation while another proposes schemes harmful to the city's lakes and environment."

Environmental activists emphasise that Bhoj Wetland and the Western Forest Area are crucial for both climate resilience and drinking water supply to half of Bhopal's population. They warn that the bypass project will have lasting impacts on the city's forests, wildlife, and water resources, particularly the Bhoj Wetland catchment area. The South Western Movement Bypass Road Committee and environmental activists are preparing legal action to challenge the project.

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