Sharp right! 90-degree turn on Bhopal railway overbridge leaves motorists fuming, minister to inspect on June 14

BHOPAL: The design of the newly constructed Aishbagh railway overbridge in Bhopal has come under scrutiny, with experts raising concerns and state minister Vishwas Sarang set to visit the site on 14 June for inspection.The overbridge is not yet open to traffic. Officials are considering correcting the identified issues before its formal inauguration. Similar concerns had earlier been raised about the Ganesh Mandir–Gayatri Mandir flyover, which was inaugurated by chief minister Mohan Yadav. Following media reports and expert inputs, some engineers involved in that project were suspended. “The turn in the middle of the overbridge at the right angle is an issue.

Bhaiya (Sarang) has taken up the issue with engineers involved in the project and correction as required would be made in the design,” said Mukesh Lodhi, PRO to Sarang. He confirmed the minister’s scheduled visit. Retired chief engineer, PWD, V K Amar, told TOI, “Design of the overbridge is glaringly faulty. Whenever there is a turn on an overbridge, you give a curve so as to alert the driver about the turn ahead but here, you have a turn on the right angle without any curve and any driver would be taken by surprise at the turn and it would become an accident-prone area."

"The design will have to be altered by giving a curve 100 metres ahead of the actual turn, so that a driver is ready for the turn as it arrives," he said. The Rs 18 crore overbridge was completed after an eight-year delay. Local residents have also raised concerns. “Residents waited ten years for this bridge. Instead of relief upon its completion, the community raised significant safety issues. The primary concern centres on the sharp 90-degree turn at the bridge’s peak, which vehicles must traverse, posing considerable risks,” said Aslam, a resident of Aishbagh locality. Railway authorities clarified that their responsibility was limited to the section over the tracks. “We are responsible for the bridges built over the railway tracks. The approach roads of the bridge were built by PWD,” said Nawal Agrawal, PRO of Bhopal Railway Division. An engineer associated with the project, speaking to TOI on condition of anonymity, cited limited space and the presence of a nearby metro station as factors behind what he described as a “distinctive design”. PWD officials said an inspection team had assessed the site and would submit a report. Additional Chief Secretary (PWD) Neeraj Mandoli did not respond to calls or messages.