THE newly-built Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Flyover in Bhopal has developed extensive damage to its asphalt surface even before the city has experienced prolonged monsoon rain. The upper road layer has peeled off at several places, exposing reinforcement bars beneath the structure. Cracks have also been reported on sections of the flyover’s safety walls. The flyover, built at a cost of around Rs 154 crore, has been undergoing maintenance for nearly a year. Following reports of the deteriorating surface, a team of Public Works Department engineers inspected the site and ordered a technical assessment along with immediate repairs to the affected portions. The project had faced questions over construction quality and supervision during its execution. PWD assistant engineer Ravi Shukla and subengineer Umakant Mishra were suspended after alleged lapses in construction and monitoring were reported. Executive engineer Javed Shakeel and chief engineer (Bridges) G P Verma were issued show-cause notices. The contractor was also fined under the terms of the agreement. The suspended engineers were later reinstated, while concerns over the condition of the flyover have resurfaced following the latest damage.

 

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the flyover on January 23, 2025, on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary. The corridor, connecting Gayatri Temple with Ganesh Temple, was named after Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. The flyover connects Netaji Subhas Chandra Setu on one side with Veer Savarkar Setu on the other and was expected to ease traffic towards O b e d u l l a g a n j , Narmadapuram, Betul, Khandwa and Jabalpur. The project has a total construction cost of Rs 154 crore and a main length of 2,534 metres. A 200- metre third-leg branch was also constructed near Gayatri Temple to distribute traffic pressure. PWD Executive Engineer Atmaram More said the ongoing work was part of routine maintenance under the EPC contract. He said defects had appeared on portions of the surface and were being repaired through the contractor. More said cleaning, painting and surface repairs are part of regular maintenance and that rain-related surface damage was being repaired. He maintained that the issue did not indicate a major structural problem or constructionquality deficiency