The deadlock between the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Railway regarding the Aishbagh Railway Overbridge (ROB) in Bhopal has been resolved. Both authorities have agreed to a redesign of the bridge to fix a dangerous 90-degree turn that had kept the structure closed since its completion in June 2025. This agreement follows nearly ten months of disputes concerning technical flaws and safety risks associated with the original construction.
What are the technical improvements planned for the bridge?
The redesign will focus on widening the turn and increasing the radius to ensure the safety of medium and heavy vehicles. Reports from MANIT experts suggested that the proximity of a Metro line had restricted the available space, leading to the compromised original design. The following changes are proposed to rectify the bridge:
- The radius of the hazardous turn will be increased by 2 to 2.5 meters
- The width of the bridge will be expanded from the current 8.5 meters to approximately 11 meters
- The sharp turn will be technically modified to allow smoother traffic flow for all vehicle types
- The original construction company will carry out the rectification work under supervision
Official action and project timeline
Engineer-in-Chief of PWD, KPS Rana, confirmed that a high-level consensus has been reached and the Railway is expected to provide the new design within three days. Construction work on the modification is slated to begin shortly after the approval is received. The project has faced significant scrutiny, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav previously ordering the suspension of seven PWD engineers for their role in the design failure. The bridge, which cost approximately 18 crore, will remain closed to the public until these safety upgrades are completed and verified by technical experts.