Flyover Controversy in India Turns 90 Degrees: 8 Engineers Suspended

Liputan6.com, Jakarta A new flyover in the Indian city of Bhopal is in the spotlight not for its splendor, but for its design, which is considered dangerous due to a 90-degree turn.

The 180 million rupees (over US$2 million ) project was initially designed to connect Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar, and the train station to the New Bhopal area.

However, instead of being greeted with joy, the existence of the Aishbagh flyover has drawn sharp criticism from residents, engineering experts, and the Madhya Pradesh state government.

The state government took swift action. Seven engineers from the Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD), including two chief engineers, were immediately suspended.

Meanwhile, one senior engineer who has retired will undergo an internal probe.

"I followed up on the serious negligence in the construction of the Aishbagh flyover and ordered an investigation. Based on the inquiry report, eight PWD engineers have been sanctioned," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on his official X account.

Yadav also emphasized that the bridge will not be inaugurated until repairs are made.

The public outcry stems from the extreme shape of the turn, which resembles a 90-degree right angle.

Photos and videos of the flyover went viral on social media, prompting scorn from netizens and concern from road users.

A resident of Aishbagh named Aslam said, "We waited ten years for this bridge. But after it was completed, all we got was a serious safety issue. The 90-degree turn on the bridge is a big risk."

An engineer involved in the project, who requested anonymity, said this design was forced due to land constraints and the presence of an adjacent metro station.

“If a little extra land had been available, the sharp turn could have been turned into a more gentle curve,” he said.

Former PWD Chief Engineer V K Amar also raised his voice. He called the flyover design “technically flawed”.

"Even if there is a turn on the bridge, there should be an arch to signal to the driver. But here, the turn is a direct right angle-without any warning. This is dangerous and very accident-prone," he said.

Amar suggested that the sharp turn be changed by adding an arch at least 100 meters before the turning point, so that drivers can anticipate the direction of their vehicles.