Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): As the city gears up for the upcoming Global Investors Summit (GIS) at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a surge in beautification and redevelopment work is visible in different areas.
However, concerns have been raised over the selective nature of these efforts, with civic bodies focusing primarily on locations near the event venue and key routes for delegates, investors and participants.
Departments such as Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Public Works Department (PWD) have been tasked with these projects.
PWD Chief Engineer Sanjay Maske confirmed that the department is currently working on 31 roads across the city, focusing on patch repairs, road markings, divider repairs and improvement of footpaths.
However, he admitted that the instructions were specifically to enhance roads connected to the event. Road patch work is being done by PWD in important routes like Link Road-1, New Market Road and near Board Office Square.
Similarly, footpath repair work can be seen on VIP Road, but most of the roads in the old city, like the road at Kabadkhana, Ghodanakkas, including outer areas like Berasia Road are in poor condition.
Opposition leaders have criticised the selective development work undertaken by the BMC. BMC leader of opposition (LoP) Sabista Zaki alleged that most city roads remain in poor condition and described the ongoing work as mere formality. She further accused the BMC of corruption and biased implementation of projects.
While preparations for GIS continue, concerns remain about whether the entire city will benefit from these improvements or if they will be limited to high-profile zones only.
Minister in-charge defends approach
Defending the approach, Bhopal Minister in-charge, Chetan Kashyap stated that the government aims to present a positive image of the city during GIS. He acknowledged time constraints and explained that priority was to upgrade crucial routes first. Kashyap assured that redevelopment work would extend to other areas as per future requirements.
