The 10-month long dispute regarding the design of Bhopal’s Aishbagh railway overbridge has finally come to an end. The Public Works Department and Indian Railways have agreed to modify the sharp turn that previously raised safety concerns among residents. This decision follows a period of closure and technical evaluations by experts appointed by the High Court after the bridge faced public criticism for its faulty engineering.
What are the specific design changes for the Aishbagh overbridge?
The revised plan aims to increase the radius of the hazardous turn by 2 to 2.5 meters. This change will effectively increase the bridge’s width from the current 8.5 meters to roughly 10.5 or 11 meters. These adjustments are necessary to ensure that heavy and medium-sized vehicles can navigate the turn without difficulty. The original design, which was measured at a 119-degree turn, will now be widened to meet safety standards and facilitate smoother traffic flow.
When will the improvement work begin and who is involved?
The Public Works Department expects to receive the final approved design from the railway authorities within a few days. Once the design is received, the physical repair work is scheduled to start within four to five days. The original construction firm will be responsible for implementing these changes under the supervision of PWD engineers. Key technical and administrative details of the project include:
- Total original project cost was approximately ₹18 crore
- Turn radius will be increased by up to 2.5 meters
- Final bridge width will reach approximately 11 meters
- Bridge has remained closed to the public since June 2025
- Work is expected to start in the second week of April 2026