A newly built railway overbridge near Aishbagh Stadium in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has stirred controversy even before its official opening. The 648-meter-long, 8.5-meter-wide structure—constructed at a cost of ₹18 crore—is under fire for featuring a sharp 90-degree turn, which locals fear could lead to frequent accidents.
The bridge, aimed at easing congestion and providing smoother connectivity between Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar, the station area, and New Bhopal, was designed to benefit nearly three lakh commuters daily. However, concerns over its safety have gone viral, especially on social media.
Users online have harshly criticized the design. One user posted, “Death will arrive at a 90-degree angle,” while another described it as a “disaster instead of a bridge,” blaming poor planning, corruption, and lack of practical engineering foresight.
Defending the project, PWD Chief Engineer VD Verma explained that the sharp turn was unavoidable due to land constraints caused by the nearby metro station. He added that the bridge would allow only small vehicles and would operate under strict safety measures and speed regulations, as per Indian Road Congress norms.
PWD Minister Rakesh Singh responded to criticism by saying that technical assessments are always made during such constructions, and if there’s a genuine concern, it will be investigated.
Despite the backlash, officials stress that the bridge addresses a long-standing demand following the closure of the Aishbagh railway crossing. Still, the unusual turn has left many questioning whether the structure’s purpose of improving safety and traffic flow has been compromised from the outset.
