Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has vowed to take strict action against those found responsible for the technical faults plaguing the Aishbagh railway overbridge in Bhopal. The overbridge, currently awaiting inauguration, has drawn widespread criticism due to its unconventional 90-degree turn, raising significant safety concerns among residents and experts alike.
The Chief Minister's statement, made on Thursday, underscores the government's commitment to rectifying the design flaws and ensuring accountability. "The technical faults in the construction work of the Aishbagh RoB will be rectified. People responsible for them (flaws) will be identified and action will be taken against them," Yadav stated, emphasizing that the overbridge will only be inaugurated after all technical issues are resolved.
The construction of the railway overbridge, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the area and facilitating movement between Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar, the station area, and New Bhopal, has been fraught with controversy. Despite an investment of Rs 18 crore, the bridge's design has been met with ridicule and concern, primarily due to the sharp 90-degree turn that many fear will make it difficult and dangerous for vehicles to navigate.
The Public Works Department (PWD) had initially attributed the unusual design to land constraints and the presence of a metro rail station nearby. However, this explanation failed to quell public outcry, prompting the formation of a committee to investigate the matter and recommend corrective measures. The committee includes two chief engineers who are tasked with consulting all stakeholders, including the railways, to find a solution that ensures safe and efficient traffic flow on the bridge.
PWD Minister Rakesh Singh has stated that a team from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) investigated the matter and concluded that the design was adopted due to the unavailability of land. Singh also indicated that the department is exploring the possibility of acquiring additional land from the Railways to modify the turn into a safer curve.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways has claimed that they had raised concerns about the alignment during the design phase. Railways spokesperson Naval Agarwal stated that the department had communicated these concerns to the PWD through a letter some time ago. Anupam Awasthi, the Chief Project Manager, suggested that any design flaws could have been addressed via a revision proposal at that time.
As the blame game continues between the PWD and the Railways, the focus remains on finding a viable solution to the design flaw. The PWD has constituted a four-member committee to assess the design, evaluate accountability, and recommend corrective measures. Safety measures under consideration include the installation of speed breakers, mirrors for visibility, reflective radium strips, speed limit signage, and additional streetlights. There is also discussion of widening the curve to create a more rounded approach for vehicles.
The controversy surrounding the Aishbagh railway overbridge highlights the importance of thorough planning and coordination in infrastructure projects. As the government moves forward with its investigation and rectification efforts, the residents of Bhopal await a resolution that prioritizes their safety and well-being.
