MP News: The preparations to round the 90 degree sharp turn of Bhopal’s Aishbagh overbridge have gained momentum. The Public Works Department has asked for two and a half to three feet of land from the Railways. The Railway team has conducted a survey, but the decision will be taken only after receiving a proposal from the Railway Board.
Bhopal. The preparations have begun to round the 90 degree sharp turn of the Aishbagh Railway Overbridge (ROB), which has become a subject of joke across the country. The Public Works Department (PWD) has asked for two and a half to three feet of additional land from the Railways to rectify the defect of this bridge, so that the turn can be made a little circular and it can be made safe for heavy vehicles.
The engineering team of the railway reached the spot on Wednesday and conducted a preliminary survey on this verbal proposal of PWD. However, till late Wednesday evening, no formal proposal was sent to the railway by PWD. Railway officials say that the final decision to give the land will be taken by the Railway Board, but this proposal will be sent from the divisional level.
If 2.5-3 feet of land is available, the design will change
On Monday, PWD had proposed to the railway officials that if 2.5 to 3 feet of land is available, the direction of the girder placed on the bridge can be changed, so that the sharp turn can be turned into a roundness to some extent. This will facilitate the turning of vehicles and the possibility of accident will decrease. Keeping this possibility in mind, the railway team inspected the site after taking measurements.
Former Chief Engineer of NHAI gave recommendations related to safety
Former Chief Engineer AK Chindke, who has been associated with the NHAI bridge section, has made several recommendations for safe traffic on the bridge. According to him, a six feet high iron angle should be installed at the beginning of the overbridge to prevent heavy vehicles from passing through this bridge. Along with this, the speed limit of light vehicles will have to be limited to 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.
Speed breakers should be made just before the turn and a six feet high wall should also be erected in front of the turn so that the drivers become alert. Also, large convex mirrors should be installed on both sides so that vehicles coming from the other side can also be seen. There is a need to increase the number of lights on the turns for adequate lighting. Also, it has been suggested to reduce the width of the footpath by one and a half feet.
Decision depends on approval of Railway Board
Railway officials have clarified that even though the proposal of PWD is technically feasible, the decision to give railway land can be taken only by the Railway Board. In such a situation, the process of transfer of land cannot proceed until a formal proposal is sent.
“We are in constant touch with the railways”
Additional Chief Secretary of Public Works Department Neeraj Mandloi has said, “We are in constant touch with the railways. As soon as there is agreement on the transfer of land, the process of improving the design of the bridge will be taken forward.” While this sharp turn of the Aishbagh overbridge remains a technical challenge on one hand, on the other hand it has also become the center of ridicule on social media. Now it has to be seen when the proposal reaches the Railway Board and when it gets approval.
