As a long-awaited railway overbridge near Aishbagh Stadium in Bhopal nears completion, it is drawing criticism—not for delays or cost overruns, but for a sharp 90-degree turn near its ascent, which could pose a risk to motorists.
Several users, including opposition leaders, flagged the issue on social media, calling it a design flaw that makes the overbridge potentially unsafe.
Congress Slams Design, Government Responds
The Congress party has taken jabs at the ruling government over the overbridge’s design. In response, Madhya Pradesh PWD Minister Rakesh Singh assured the public that all technical considerations were taken into account and said the matter would be reviewed.
He, however, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, stating, “If there are such allegations, we will look into it.”
Bridge Aims to Ease Decade-Long Traffic Woes
Despite the controversy, the 648-metre-long, 8.5-metre-wide overbridge is part of a larger infrastructure push aimed at easing traffic in Bhopal’s congested zones, such as Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar, and the railway station area.
It was conceived to benefit three lakh commuters daily by eliminating wait times at level crossings and reducing long detours.
Delays Marred the Project Timeline
Although construction began in March 2023 and was initially slated for 18 months, the project has taken over 36 months to approach completion. Delays were attributed to electrical line relocations and coordination issues between the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Railways.
Only Light Vehicles Allowed for Now
To ensure safety, officials clarified that only light vehicles would be permitted on the bridge once operational. Heavy vehicles will remain barred until further review of the structure’s performance and safety aspects.
As the bridge prepares to open, the debate over its design integrity vs political optics continues to stir local sentiment.
