The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday directed the appointment of an expert engineer to verify the exact angle of the controversial railway overbridge in the Aishbagh area of Bhopal, which has faced widespread criticism for its alleged 90-degree design.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdev and Justice Vinay Saraf passed the order while hearing a plea filed by the private contractor company responsible for the flyover’s construction. The company argued that the bridge was built strictly in accordance with the General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) provided by the Public Works Department (PWD).
The court instructed the Director of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, to depute a senior structural or civil engineering professor to inspect the bridge. The expert has been tasked with measuring the actual angle of the turn and comparing it with the GAD to determine whether the construction was in line with the official design or if deviations occurred.
The bench also directed the chief engineers of the PWD, Bhopal Municipal Corporation, and Bhopal Development Authority to extend full assistance to the MANIT expert. The inspection costs, including the engineer’s fees, are to be borne by the contractor company, though the firm retains the right to seek reimbursement from the state government depending on the report’s findings.
“No further coercive action shall be taken against the company until the next date of hearing,” the court said, offering temporary relief to the contractor.
Appearing for the company, advocate Praveen Dubey contended that the construction followed the GAD issued by the government. He noted that amendments to the drawing were made in 2023 and 2024, and the bridge was built accordingly.
“The company should not be held liable for a design fault when the construction is strictly in accordance with the General Arrangement Drawing,” Dubey argued, pointing out that some PWD officials have already faced disciplinary action for lapses.
The flyover project in Aishbagh was awarded to the company in 2021-22 with an 18-month completion timeline. After images of the sharp turn went viral on social media, the government ordered a probe into the design and execution.
A five-member inquiry committee later found significant lapses, including poor coordination between the state government and the railway department, as well as deviations in the placement of bridge pillars. Following the report, seven PWD engineers — including two chief engineers — were suspended, and a departmental inquiry was initiated against a retired superintendent. Two companies, including the contractor, were blacklisted.
