Is the Design of MP's ROB Unsafe After Recent Incidents?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Recent incidents at the ROB raised safety concerns.
- Sharp turns and poorly placed dividers are problematic.
- Engineers were suspended for the faulty design.
- All schoolchildren in the incidents escaped unharmed.
- The bridge cost Rs 40 crore to construct.
Bhopal, July 6 (NationPress) The design of the Railway Over Bridge (ROB) located in the Shubhash Nagar area of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh has sparked safety concerns due to its curved structure and poorly positioned dividers. This comes after two incidents occurred at the same location within an eight-hour span in recent days.
This ROB, which is a crucial passage for daily commuters in Bhopal, was constructed at a price tag of Rs 40 crore.
It serves as a vital connection between Maida Mill and Prabhat Petrol Pump, making it an essential route for travelers heading towards Bhopal Railway Station.
While the bridge has alleviated traffic congestion in the city’s hotspots, the recent mishaps have raised questions about its sharp turns.
The first incident took place on July 1, where a car struck a road divider and flipped over. The following morning, a van carrying school children encountered damage after colliding with the same divider.
Both incidents occurred during heavy rain. Fortunately, the six schoolchildren in the van escaped without injury.
Frequent users of the bridge in Bhopal have voiced their worries, attributing the incidents to the bridge’s defective design.
Despite the growing concerns from citizens, the Public Works Department (PWD), responsible for the bridge's construction, has yet to address these issues.
Further scrutiny has also been directed towards the design of a bridge under construction in the Aishbagh area, which features a similar sharp turn.
In response to these incidents, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Madhya recently suspended seven engineers, including two chief engineers from the PWD, citing the 'faulty design' of the new ROB.