Crumbling surface on 125-year-old Ajni RoB puts thousands at risk

 

 

The slow construction of replacement for Ajni railway overbridge (RoB) on the part of Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC), is putting an undue strain on the commuters, who have to daily cross the section with prayers on their lips. This is so as the current RoB is over 125-year-old, constructed during the British era. As with any ageing structure, the Ajni RoB has become a nightmare on daily basis for the commuters, not only due to its age and structural weakness, but more importantly, because of the severely damaged road surface across it. In spite of being declared beyond its lifespan almost two decades ago by the original British construction company, the bridge still carries thousands of vehicles every day, including heavy lorries and container carriers, aggravating its deterioration.

 

MRIDC though is confident of readying first phase of 6-lane cable-stayed bridge by the end of the year. Going by the current speed of construction, the experts are sceptical whether the deadline would be met. Right now, the central pylon is under construction and they are not yet ready to hoist the cables that will hold the pre-fabricated concrete slabs. Authorities have promised relief through the construction of a new six-lane cable-stayed bridge to replace the century-old overpass. However, progress has been painfully slow. As of July 2025, there are no signs of timely completion, and commuters are left with no option but to risk their lives daily on this treacherous stretch. While concerns about the ageing structure remain valid, it’s the dangerously uneven, pothole-ridden road on the bridge that now poses an immediate and visible threat to public safety.

 

The narrow bridge accommodates only two lanes, but its damaged and patchy surface reduces usable road space even further, often forcing vehicles into abrupt halts or erratic movements to avoid gaping potholes. During peak hours, this stretch becomes nothing short of a logistical mess. This completely gravelled road bed has made commuting on the bridge a hazardous experience. Vehicles frequently scrape their under carriages, two-wheelers swerve dangerously, and four-wheelers find it almost impossible to overtake, especially as traffic pours in from Congress Nagar Square and Kriplani Square via Wardha Road, creating major congestion at Ajni RoB.

 

With the road already so narrow, the added burden of poor maintenance, large potholes, and patchwork repairs has turned the bridge into a daily obstacle course. The bottleneck effect is worsened when heavy vehicles ignore partially blocked barriers and force their way through, causing more damage to the road and putting additional static load on the weakened structure. Tragedy may occur due to long-standing neglect, poor road management, and delayed infrastructure planning by the authorities.