News Brief
90-Degree Turn On Bhopal ROB Triggers Action: CM Yadav Acts Against Eight Engineers, Blacklists Construction Agency, Consultant
Bhopal Bridge with 90° turn (Image source: X)
The Madhya Pradesh government has cracked down on officials over the "faulty design" of a bizarre nearly 90-degree turn on a new rail over-bridge in Bhopal, suspending seven PWD engineers and initiating an inquiry against a retired superintendent engineer.
The construction agency and design consultant for the project have been blacklisted and a committee has been set up to make necessary improvements in the ROB, according to MP CM Mohan Yadav.
"Taking cognizance of the serious negligence in the construction of the Aishbagh ROB, I had ordered an inquiry. Based on the inquiry report, action has been taken against eight PWD engineers. Seven engineers, including two Chief Engineers, have been suspended with immediate effect. A departmental inquiry will be conducted against one retired Superintendent Engineer," CM Yadav said in a post on X on Saturday (28 June).
"The construction agency and the design consultant have been blacklisted for submitting a faulty design of the ROB in this project," he said.
"A committee has been formed for the necessary improvements in the ROB. The ROB will be inaugurated only after the improvements are made," he added.
The ROB, costing Rs 18 crore, was designed to connect Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar, and the station area with New Bhopal, projected to ease commutes for over three lakh residents.
In response to public concern, the PWD last week set up a committee to devise solutions ensuring safe vehicular movement on the bridge, news agency PTI reported.
Officials associated with the construction reportedly defended the design, citing severe land constraints and proximity to a metro station as limiting factors behind the sharp turn.
They claimed that acquiring a little more land would allow the rigid 90-degree bend to be reworked into a smoother curve, addressing safety concerns.
