Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has suspended seven Public Works Department engineers, including two chief engineers, over the faulty design and construction of a new rail overbridge (ROB) in Bhopal’s Aishbagh area that features a sharp 90-degree turn. The construction agency and design consultant have been blacklisted, and a departmental inquiry is underway against a retired senior engineer.
The Rs 18 crore bridge, intended to ease connectivity for around three lakh residents, will only be inaugurated after necessary safety improvements are made under the supervision of a newly formed government committee. Officials cited land scarcity and the nearby metro rail station as constraints leading to the controversial design, but public and expert criticism prompted swift government action.
Design Flaws and Official Response
The unusual 90-degree turn on the 648-metre ROB sparked widespread criticism and ridicule from local residents and netizens, who questioned how vehicles could safely negotiate such a sharp curve. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav acknowledged “serious negligence” and ordered a probe that resulted in suspensions of key engineers, including Chief Engineers Sanjay Khande and G P Verma.
Additional Chief Secretary Neeraj Mandloi confirmed that the construction agency M/s Puneet Chaddha and design consultant M/s Dynamic Consultant have been blacklisted. The government has formed two committees: one to issue charge sheets to the officers involved, and another to coordinate with the Railways for design and safety improvements. The ROB will remain closed until these corrections are implemented.
Background and Project Challenges
The bridge was designed to improve connectivity between Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar, and New Bhopal station, reducing delays caused by railway crossings. However, the design process was fraught with challenges, including disagreements between the Public Works Department and Railways.
The design was altered three times over seven years, with the final version incorporating the 90-degree turn due to land limitations and the proximity of a metro rail station. Railways had earlier warned that parts of the bridge met at near right angles, which was unsafe for road users. Officials have indicated that if additional land is made available, the sharp turn could be eased into a curve, improving safety.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This episode underscores the critical need for accountability, transparency, and rigorous planning in public infrastructure projects that directly affect citizen safety and urban mobility. While practical constraints such as land scarcity are genuine, they must not justify compromising safety standards or professional diligence.
The government’s decisive action against responsible engineers and contractors is a positive step towards restoring public trust. Moving forward, fostering open dialogue among authorities, experts, and communities is essential to ensure infrastructure development that balances feasibility with uncompromising safety and quality.
