Jutting Out: Bhopal’s Swachh Disconnect Amid Wire Clutter

Bhopal: Beware of the wires dangling over your heads and over your vehicles sans much protective casing in one of the busiest areas in the city. Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) staff reconnected a radio apparatus at the New Market intersection on Monday, raising safety concerns due to the exposed wiring. This apparatus, initially intended for Swachh Bharat mission messaging, previously played a local radio station, leading to noise complaints and its eventual deactivation. The new reconnection involved a hydraulic crane and exposed wiring, potentially endangering pedestrians and commuters. The radio apparatus, installed a few years ago at the New Market intersection, was meant to broadcast Swachh Bharat mission messages. Instead, it played a local radio station, causing disturbance to residents. The BMC attempted to manage the noise by implementing a two-hour, two-shift schedule with manual on/off operation. This proved ineffective, and the power supply was disconnected. Despite previous noise pollution violations and administrative intervention leading to deactivation, the BMC reconnected the apparatus on Monday. The reconnection process involved a green wire, without protective casing, being hoisted approximately 20 feet and connected to three poles before reaching an exposed transformer switchboard. "We have orders from the BMC to reconnect," said a BMC staff member present at the site. This method raises concerns about the safety of pedestrians and commuters. The exposed wiring is vulnerable to weather events and potential contact with large vehicles. The "Kabaad se Jugaad" (making something from scrap) nature of the apparatus and its connection, combined with the disregard for safety precautions, underlines the need for better infrastructure management. The initial installation of the radio apparatus at the New Market intersection exemplified a disconnect between the Swachh Bharat mission's message and the actions of agencies responsible for city infrastructure. Cables and wires dangling from poles throughout the city, from Link Road to walled city corners, represent a tangible risk. The presence of dangling cables and wires on poles throughout Bhopal highlights a broader issue of safety and maintenance. This issue extends from major thoroughfares like Link Road to smaller intersections and walled city areas.