An expert assessment has clarified that the controversial sharp turn on the Bhopal rail overbridge is not a “90-degree” bend as widely circulated in memes and social media, but instead measures between 118–119 degrees, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has been recently informed.
The revelation has prompted the state government to seek additional time from the court to reconsider its decision to blacklist the construction firm involved.
Expert Report Submitted To Court
The report, prepared by a professor from the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, was submitted before the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdev and Justice Vinay Saraf. It states that the bend in the bridge is far less sharp than portrayed and does not justify accusations of gross negligence solely based on the angle.
Following the submission of the report, the Madhya Pradesh government requested time to review its earlier action against M/s Puneet Chadha, the company responsible for constructing the overbridge in the Aishbagh area of Bhopal. The court accepted the request and scheduled the next hearing for September 17, also directing that copies of the expert report be shared with all parties.
Case Background
The petitioner, M/s Puneet Chadha, had been blacklisted by the government after public outrage over the flyover’s sharp turn. The company approached the High Court seeking relief, arguing that the action was taken without giving it a chance to present its case. It asserted that the bridge’s design followed the General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) issued by the government and was completed under proper supervision.
The company claimed that the GAD was later amended between 2023 and 2024, and the final construction complied with revised guidelines. It further argued that the allegations of faulty design were based solely on the report of an investigative committee and lacked procedural fairness.
Committee Findings & Government Action
The government had constituted a five-member committee to examine the issue after images of the bend went viral online, sparking ridicule and concerns over safety. The committee identified coordination lapses between the state government and the railways and pointed out that the overpass pillars were not installed at the prescribed distance. Additionally, the committee noted that the railway line passing under the bend might have contributed to design complications.
Earlier, on June 28, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that seven PWD engineers were suspended, and a departmental inquiry was ordered against a retired superintendent engineer. The construction agency and design consultant were blacklisted, and a separate committee was tasked with proposing improvements to the overbridge.
The court earlier directed the petitioner to deposit ₹1 lakh toward expert assessment fees, with the Municipal Corporation of Bhopal providing necessary resources. It had noted that if the petitioner’s claim regarding the angle proved correct, the fee could be reimbursed and no strict action should be pursued against the firm.
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