Mar 3 • 11:16 UTC 🇮🇳 India Aaj Tak (Hindi)

'90 degrees is not the case; the bridge is at 119 degrees', said the PWD minister

The PWD minister clarified that the controversial bridge in Bhopal, previously considered to be at a 90-degree angle, is actually at 119 degrees, addressing criticism and misconceptions.

The Ashbagh Rail Overbridge in Bhopal has faced intense scrutiny and ridicule on social media for allegedly being designed at a 90-degree angle. The Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, Rakesh Singh, has stepped forward to contest this assertion, stating that the bridge is actually angled at 119 degrees, refuting the widespread belief that led to its mockery. He mentioned that a misconstrued public perception has developed around this issue, emphasizing that a high court investigation corroborated the correct angle of the bridge.

Moreover, Minister Singh defended the design choices made for infrastructure projects in older, established urban areas like Bhopal, where developments must adapt to existing spatial constraints rather than adhering to ideal design specifications. He highlighted that similar bridge designs exist in various developed countries and advanced states within India, suggesting that the situation might not be unique or bad as perceived by critics. His comments aimed to rationalize the engineering decisions made during the bridge's construction.

Additionally, Singh pointed out that the actual issue lies not in the angle of the bridge, but rather in the slope and curvature, which led to difficulties for drivers. The minister acknowledged that incorrect technical measures contributed to the problems encountered, and as a result, actions were taken against the engineers involved in the project. The bridge, constructed at a cost of 18 crores, became the center of controversy due to its design and the challenges it posed to motorists, thus bringing forward the discussion regarding urban infrastructure design and its implications in Indian cities.

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