Bhopal, Feb 22 (NationPress) In light of the recent railway overbridge collapse, Madhya Pradesh's Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rakesh Singh announced on Monday that decisive measures will be taken against those responsible. This includes blacklisting the contractor and initiating legal actions against officials deemed negligent, along with filing an FIR against accountable parties.

Minister Singh labeled the incident as unacceptable and assured that accountability will be enforced, with appropriate punitive actions put in place to avert future occurrences.

A segment of the railway overbridge on National Highway-45 near Shahpura in Jabalpur district collapsed on Sunday evening during maintenance work, causing significant disruption to traffic on the crucial Jabalpur–Bhopal route.

The collapse transpired at approximately 5 p.m. when an approach road section of the rail overbridge gave way.

Reports indicate that a part of the structure had sustained prior damage, with one supporting pillar exhibiting signs of sinking, which had prompted the ongoing repair efforts.

While maintenance was in progress on one section, another adjacent part unexpectedly collapsed, leading authorities to fully close the highway stretch as a safety precaution.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported due to the incident.

Nonetheless, the collapse has sparked serious concerns regarding the quality of infrastructure, safety protocols, and the oversight of public works projects within the state.

During a media briefing in Bhopal, Minister Singh revealed that the overbridge was constructed by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC).

He stated that the construction firm was engaged in repair work on one of the sections when the collapse occurred.

Minister Singh highlighted that the contractor's liability period remains active, emphasizing that they will face repercussions for any structural failures occurring within this defect liability timeframe.

He confirmed that stringent administrative and legal actions will be pursued, including blacklisting the contractor and initiating action against officials responsible for oversight lapses.

The bridge collapse has incited criticism and raised questions about construction standards, quality assurance, and maintenance practices in infrastructure projects throughout Madhya Pradesh.

Local residents and commuters voiced their concerns and frustration over repeated infrastructure collapses, emphasizing that such failures disrupt daily routines, hinder transport connectivity, and lead to economic setbacks.

Authorities are currently redirecting traffic through alternative routes to alleviate inconvenience for commuters while prioritizing public safety.

Meanwhile, officials from both the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation and the Public Works Department are collaboratively evaluating the damages and coordinating restoration efforts to reopen the affected highway stretch as soon as possible.

A technical investigation has commenced to ascertain the precise causes of the bridge collapse, including potential structural inadequacies, material flaws, or oversights during the maintenance process.

This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure safety and emphasizes the importance of rigorous quality control, accountability, and regular structural assessments for bridges and public works projects.

In a separate comment, PWD Minister Singh also mentioned that Madhya Pradesh has been honored with the Krishi Karman Award for its agricultural performance and dismissed the recent farmer protests and criticisms from the Congress party as being politically motivated.

He asserted that Madhya Pradesh consistently achieves strong agricultural outcomes and claimed that the protests lack a solid basis.

Minister Singh alleged that these demonstrations are driven by political agendas, reinforcing that the state's agricultural performance reflects the government’s dedication to farmers' welfare.

His statements emerge amid ongoing political discussions, with opposition parties accusing the state government of neglecting essential governance and infrastructure issues while emphasizing achievements in agriculture.