A newly built ₹18 crore Bhopal Aishbag rail over bridge faces harsh criticism over a bizarre 90-degree turn. The controversy has led to suspension of top engineers, blacklisting of the construction firm, and a full-scale investigation by the Madhya Pradesh government.
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What Went Wrong with the Bhopal Aishbagh ROB?
The recently constructed 648-meter rail overbridge (ROB) in Bhopal Aishbagh area was meant to be a lifeline for nearly 3 lakh daily commuters, aiming to eliminate long railway crossing delays. Instead, it has turned into a national embarrassment, thanks to a bizarre 90-degree turn at one end of the bridge.
This design flaw, considered neither functional nor safe, has raised alarm bells across the country, prompting a swift response from the Madhya Pradesh government.
Safety Concerns Trigger Engineer Suspensions
Taking serious note of the flawed construction, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered action based on a detailed inquiry:
- 8 Engineers Suspended, including:
- Design Consultant & Construction Agency Blacklisted
- A special committee has been formed to redesign and improve the ROB before its official inauguration.
How Did It Get So Bad? A Timeline of Design Disputes
The bridge’s mess stems from seven years of confusion and blame games between the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Railway Department:
First Design (2018):
- Proposed a 45-degree skew for smooth road alignment
- PWD halted the tender when Railways raised objections over land usage
Second Design (2020):
- Adjusted alignment to accommodate the Metro Rail line
- Received NOC from Metro, but lacked final Railway support
Third Design (2023):
- As Metro and Railway alignments conflicted, PWD created a revised layout by adding a new pier to correct alignment issues
- Unfortunately, this fix created the infamous 90-degree turn
Blame Game: PWD vs Railways
- PWD Blames Railways: Cites errors in railway drawings and delayed responses as reasons behind flawed execution
- Railways Defend Themselves: Claim they warned PWD back in April 2024 about unsafe alignment
In short, both agencies played a role in the fiasco. The fallout? A dangerous curve that defies basic traffic safety norms.
Costly Mistake: ₹18 Crore Spent, Lives at Risk
This blunder hasn’t just wasted ₹18 crore in public funds—it’s put the lives of thousands of daily commuters at risk. The overbridge, intended to make travel easier and faster, now risks becoming a death trap without urgent fixes.
What’s Next?
A committee will now:
- Assess necessary changes
- Redesign the structure for safety
- Ensure all three agencies (PWD, Metro, Railways) coordinate before final rollout
Only after these corrections, the bridge will be inaugurated and opened to the public.
Conclusion
The Bhopal Aishbagh ROB case is a glaring reminder of what can go wrong when departments work in silos and ignore safety red flags. With engineer suspensions, agency blacklisting, and redesigns underway, the Madhya Pradesh government is attempting damage control—but the public’s trust is already shaken.
Disclaimer: The post is based on the available inputs in different reliable news sites at the time of writing and shared for information purpose only.