Indore Railway Overbridge Design Controversy Emerges Following Bhopal Bridge Issues

A new controversy has emerged in Indore over the design of an under-construction Railway Overbridge (ROB), following a similar issue in Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh's PWD Minister, Rakesh Singh, stated that the Indore ROB is being constructed according to approved technical designs and standards. However, local residents have expressed concerns about potential accidents due to the bridge's design.

Indore's Lok Sabha MP, Shankar Lalwani, has raised concerns about a sharp turn in the ROB's design. He has written to the state's Public Works Minister and instructed officials to modify this aspect. Lalwani mentioned that during a government meeting in June, he noticed a 90-degree turn proposed near Laxmibai Nagar station and urged for its reduction to prevent accidents and traffic congestion.

Technical Standards and Design Details

The PWD minister assured that the ROB's construction adheres to Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines. The bridge includes five curves, each with a radius of approximately 20 metres, exceeding the IRC's minimum requirement of 15 metres. This ensures the structure is balanced and safe from a design perspective.

The ROB is designed to facilitate traffic in three directions: Pologround, Laxmibai Station, and Bhagirathpura. It measures 1,027.60 metres in length and 12 metres in width. The Railways and state PWD finalised its design after a joint survey process.

Concerns and Re-examination

Executive Engineer Gurmeet Kaur Bhatia from the Bridge Construction Department addressed media reports about the 90-degree turn issue. She confirmed that the ROB's design is being re-evaluated for potential improvements if necessary.

Dhananjay Chinchalkar, president of the Pologround Industrialists Welfare Association, inspected the site and criticised the design. He noted that the sharp turn and steep slope could lead to accidents if not modified.

Government Response and Accountability

The state government previously suspended seven engineers over technical flaws in Bhopal's ROB construction near Aishbagh Stadium. This project faced public criticism on social media due to its problematic 90-degree turn.

The Public Works Department emphasised their commitment to transparency and quality in completing the Indore ROB. They prioritise citizen safety and convenience while ensuring all construction dimensions meet established standards.

A comparative review of the construction site against design drawings confirms adherence to approved plans. The ROB aims to improve traffic flow across three major areas of Indore city.

With inputs from PTI