A sharp 90-degree turn on Bhopal’s newly built railway overbridge has triggered public backlash and administrative action
The Curve That Broke Public Trust
Bhopal Bridge Blunder – In what has become a national talking point and a meme magnet the newly constructed Aishbagh Railway Overbridge (ROB) in Bhopal has drawn sharp criticism for its unusual 90-degree turn, raising serious questions about urban planning, engineering oversight, and public safety. Built at a cost of ₹18 crore, the bridge was intended to ease congestion and improve connectivity between Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar, and New Bhopal. Instead, it has become a symbol of bureaucratic miscalculation.
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The backlash was swift and unforgiving. Images of the sharp turn went viral, with citizens and experts alike questioning how such a design could pass multiple layers of approval. The turn, which appears dangerously abrupt for vehicular movement, was initially defended by officials who cited limited land availability and the proximity of a metro station as constraints.
But public outrage forced the government’s hand. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav took “serious cognizance” of the issue and ordered an inquiry. The result: seven engineers suspended, including two chief engineers, and two companies blacklisted, the construction agency and the design consultant responsible for the project.
Accountability in Action: Who’s Been Named and Shamed?
The fallout from the inquiry has been swift and decisive. Among those suspended are:
- Chief Engineers G.P. Verma and Sanjay Khande
- Executive Engineers Javed Shakeel and Shabana Razzaq
- Assistant Engineer (Design) Shanul Saxena
- Deputy Engineer Umashankar Mishra
- Sectional Officer Ravi Shukla
Additionally, a departmental probe has been initiated against retired Superintendent Engineer M.P. Singh.
The Madhya Pradesh government also blacklisted M/s Puneet Chaddha, the architectural firm, and M/s Dynamic Consultant, the design consultancy involved in the project. According to PWD Additional Chief Secretary Neeraj Mandloi, these firms were found responsible for submitting a “faulty design” that failed to meet safety and usability standards.
A committee has now been formed to recommend corrective measures, and the bridge will not be inaugurated until these are implemented. Officials have suggested that acquiring additional land could allow the sharp turn to be converted into a safer curve. The redesign may involve widening the bridge and removing the current railing at the turn.
Lessons in Concrete: What This Says About Urban Infrastructure
The Aishbagh ROB fiasco is more than just a design flaw, it’s a cautionary tale about the state of infrastructure planning in India. While rapid urbanization demands swift execution of public works, this incident underscores the cost of cutting corners and the dangers of ignoring ground realities.
Experts argue that the bridge’s design should have been flagged during the planning phase. “A 90-degree turn on a vehicular overpass is not just impractical, it’s dangerous,” said a senior civil engineer from IIT Roorkee. “This isn’t just a design oversight; it’s a systemic failure.”
The incident also highlights the lack of coordination between departments. The presence of a metro station nearby was cited as a constraint, but critics argue that better inter-agency planning could have prevented such a flawed outcome.
Public sentiment remains unforgiving. Citizens have taken to social media to mock the design, with hashtags like #BhopalBridgeFail and #RightAngleDisaster trending across platforms. Memes comparing the bridge to video game tracks and roller coasters have only added to the embarrassment.
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