S$2.7 million bridge in India has 90-degree turn, 7 engineers suspended for 'faulty design'

Seven engineers, including two chief engineers, were suspended by the Madhya Pradesh government on Jun. 28 for the faulty design of the new Rail Over Bridge (ROB) in the Aishbagh area of Bhopal, India.

According to The Times, a nearly 90-degree turn was built into the bridge, sparking major criticism and leaving drivers and the public questioning how to navigate the dangerously sharp turn.

Construction of the bridge was announced 10 years ago and cost 200 million rupees (around S$2.7 million).

The bridge was built to improve connectivity between Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar and the station area with New Bhopal.

As reported in NDTV, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said in a post on X that he "took cognisance of the serious negligence in the construction of Aishbagh ROB and ordered an inquiry. On the basis of the inquiry report, action has been taken against eight Public Works Department (PWD) engineers."

Yadav further added that the seven engineers would be suspended with immediate effect and that a departmental inquiry would also be initiated against a retired superintendent engineer in connection with the faulty design.

Both the design consultant and architect firm have also been blacklisted.

A committee has since been formed to find a solution and make necessary improvements to the ROB.

Yadav further added that "the bridge will be inaugurated only after the technical issue has been fixed."

According to The Times, VD Verma, the chief engineer, had previously said that they had no other choice but to build the 90-degree turn due to limited land space and the presence of a metro station nearby.

CNBC TV18 reported that authorities proposed acquiring extra land as it would allow a more gradual and safer curve to be built.

They further added that the bridge would be reconstructed after more space can be provided.

Top photo via NDTV