The railway overbridge in Bhopal’s Aishbagh area, which has been in the news for its extremely sharp 90-degree turn, will now be redesigned. The decision has been taken after massive criticism on social media and safety concerns raised by citizens.
Sources in the Public Works Department (PWD) said the bridge will be redesigned in consultation with the Indian Railways. The overbridge has been the subject of memes and taunts on social media in recent times. “An official announcement will be made soon in this regard,” sources said.
Though the structure is not technically considered unsafe, its extremely sharp turn poses risks for motorists. The bridge is located in a densely populated area of the city and was meant to smoothen traffic and relieve delays at rail crossings, but its haphazard design is now leading to accidents.
Many motorists have complained of discomfort and confusion while crossing the turn, while experts believe the design could lead to accidents, especially in fog or at high speeds. Following the growing controversy, the railway department has approved the redesign of the overbridge. Under the plan, its width will be increased by three feet.
The new proposal calls for removing the existing footpath and eliminating the middle divider to make the curves safer and more practical. These changes are being made with the aim of making the movement of vehicles safer and easier. PWD minister Rakesh Singh took the public criticism seriously and handed over the matter to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to investigate.
The NHAI report suggested that the speed limit on the bridge should not exceed 35 to 40 kmph. Driving at high speed, especially when the road does not have proper slope or curve, increases the chances of accidents.
Now the administration has decided that the shape of the bridge will be changed without completely demolishing it. Also, accountability is being fixed for the engineering team that did not follow basic traffic standards—such as proper turning radius, signalling system and visibility—in the initial design.
The case of the Aishbagh overbridge shows that planning done in limited space in urban areas without proper engineering thinking can prove to be dangerous for the general public.
As its reconstruction begins, it is expected that the responsible agencies will give priority to safety and quality rather than the speed of construction. It appears that public awareness is now forcing the authorities to take steps in the right direction.
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