Two newly built railway overbridges in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, have developed serious cracks and road damage shortly after their opening. The Barga and Aliwara bridges were inaugurated in June 2026, but the first heavy rainfall in July 2026 exposed poor construction quality. This has led to safety concerns among local residents and official complaints to the central government.
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What is the current status of the damaged bridges?
The bridges were constructed at a cost of approximately 20-26 crore rupees. Within 15 to 30 days of opening, large cracks and potholes appeared. At the Barga bridge, cracks are reported to be 60-70 feet long, and some potholes are 4-7 feet deep. The Aliwara bridge is also facing similar sinking and road damage issues, which has disrupted local traffic.
What actions have the officials taken?
The Rajnandgaon Collector Jitendra Yadav wrote to the South East Central Railway (SECR) on July 6, 2026, asking for a high-level technical probe. Additionally, a local Member of Parliament wrote a letter to the Union Railway Minister regarding the poor quality of work. While the contractor has started temporary repairs, locals claim these are only cosmetic and do not fix the main problem.
What are the reasons given for the damage?
| Entity | Reason Provided |
|---|---|
| Railway Engineers | Minor settlements or water reaching the foundation during heavy rain |
| Construction Director | Soil settlement and water seepage due to continuous rainfall |
| Local Residents | Corruption and use of substandard construction materials |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which bridges in Rajnandgaon are damaged?
The Barga and Aliwara railway overbridges, built at a cost of 20-26 crore rupees, developed cracks and road cave-ins in July 2026.
Who is investigating the matter?
The Rajnandgaon Collector has requested a high-level technical investigation from the South East Central Railway (SECR).