Bhopal’s new Aishbagh railway overbridge, featuring a sharp 90° turn, has been closed by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav until design flaws are corrected and safety assured. A probe by the PWD found the turn risky; modifications including easing the curve and widening are underway, with accountability measures for those responsible.
Criticism of the Rs 18 crore, 648‑metre bridge began soon after its completion, with experts and residents warning that the abrupt right-angled curve could create a serious accident hotspot. Citing concerns over commuter safety and efficacy, Mr Yadav stated that the bridge would not open until rectification, and those responsible would face accountability . A technical review committee, comprising senior PWD engineering staff, has confirmed deficiencies in the bridge’s design approval process—specifically, the general arrangement drawing was finalised without proper coordination with the railways. The committee recommends altering the sharp turn into a gentle curve and widening the bridge to accommodate safer vehicle passage.
Additional safety measures under consideration include widening the turn, installing speed breakers, reflective signage, and mirrors to improve visibility. The National Highway Authority of India has been consulted, and while land constraints near the metro station were cited as the initial excuse for the layout, authorities are now exploring land acquisition to support redesign work. PWD minister Rakesh Singh and railways officials are coordinating the remedial action. The railways confirmed they are awaiting formal proposals from the PWD before engaging on land access.
Local resident Aslam, recalling the decade spent awaiting the bridge, said the design’s current form was a “glaring risk” that exposed poor planning and stalled the much-awaited traffic relief. Social media users have ridiculed the structure, dubbing it a “video game bridge”, and demanding immediate correction; experts warned motorists should limit speed to 35 km/h if the bridge opened without redesign . The CM’s action reflects growing demands for transparency and accountability in public infrastructure projects. While commuters hope the redesign will restore much-needed connectivity—relieving up to 300,000 daily users crossing the railway—the event highlights a broader need for rigorous engineering checks, especially in space-constrained urban environments .
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