Bhopal’s 90-Degree Ashbagh Bridge Triggers Major Investigation

The controversial 90-degree Ashbagh bridge in Bhopal has come under intense scrutiny after its unusual and unsafe design sparked nationwide criticism. What was meant to ease traffic congestion has now become a symbol of alleged negligence, prompting the Madhya Pradesh government to launch a high-level investigation into the project.According to official sources, strong disciplinary action is likely against multiple engineers involved in the bridge’s construction, ranging from senior officials to on-ground staff. The case has once again raised questions about infrastructure planning, accountability, and public safety.

What Went Wrong With the Bridge Design?

A three-member state-level committee recently submitted its investigation report, highlighting serious deviations from approved designs and national standards. The findings point to construction-stage errors rather than flaws in the original blueprint.

Key design and construction lapses include:

 Pillars designed to be round were constructed as rectangular, resembling walls

 The change caused bridge girders to extend beyond safe support limits

 A required 120-degree smooth curve was ignored, resulting in a sharp 90-degree turn

 The construction violated Indian Road Congress (IRC) norms

 A critical Railways letter from April 2024, advising on pillar design at the curve, was overlooked

Officials confirmed that the original design complied with IRC standards, but execution errors compromised safety and functionality.

Engineers Under Probe, Action Initiated

Preliminary action has already been taken against several engineers. Those facing scrutiny include:

 Chief Engineers Sanjay Khande and G.P. Verma

 Executive Engineer Shabana Razzak

 Assistant Engineer Sanul Saxena

 Engineers Javed Shakeel, Ravi Shukla, and Umesh Mishra

All accused officials have been asked to submit written explanations. The investigation was conducted by a team comprising ENC K.P.S. Rana, MP-RDC Chief Engineer Gopal Singh, and PWD Deputy Secretary Rajesh Kagra.

Expert View: Curves Matter More Than Angles

Former PWD Engineer-in-Chief Akhilesh Agarwal weighed in on the controversy, clarifying that sharp-angle bridges are not unheard of in India.

“It’s not that 90-degree bridges don’t exist. They are built, but the mistake here was the absence of a smooth curve. When a design is prepared, both the Railways and PWD sign off. If approvals were given earlier, accountability lies on both sides,” he said.

This expert perspective underscores the shared responsibility between departments in large infrastructure projects.

What Happens Next? Why This Matters Now

The report will also be sent to the Railways to examine their role in the approval process. Meanwhile, the PWD bridge division has prepared a revised design, which has been sent for approval, and corrective work is already underway.

At a time when urban infrastructure projects are expanding rapidly across India, the Bhopal bridge controversy serves as a reminder that shortcuts and oversight can put public lives at risk. Citizens, experts, and policymakers alike are watching closely as accountability measures unfold.

Bottom line: The Ashbagh bridge episode is not just about one faulty turn—it’s about restoring trust in public infrastructure and ensuring safety is never compromised.