"90-Degree Sharp Curve, Stop or Else": 2.8 Billion-Won Indian Overpass Becomes Object of Ridicule

Design Controversy Over Recently Completed Overpass in India
Seven Project Engineers Suspended
Bridge to Open After Widening by About 90 cm

A recently completed overpass in India has become the subject of design controversy and public ridicule. In particular, the road, which crosses over railroad tracks in the city center, includes a nearly right-angle sharp curve, raising growing concerns about safety. On June 29, 2025, as controversy spread over the 90-degree curve overpass constructed in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Indian media such as India Today reported that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav suspended seven project engineers and blacklisted the consulting firm involved in the project.

An overpass in Bhopal city, Madhya Pradesh, India. X (Ex)

The overpass at the center of the controversy is located in Bhopal. The construction cost was approximately 180 million rupees (about 2.8 billion won), and the road measures 648 meters in length and 8.5 meters in width. Authorities explained that the structure would improve transportation convenience for local residents and reduce waiting times at railway crossings. However, criticism of the design itself has been mounting online.

After seeing photos of the overpass’s structure, online users criticized it as a "miracle of modern engineering," "a bridge that belongs in a video game," and "a waste of taxpayers’ money." One user strongly criticized the project, stating, "This 90-degree curve will be a disaster if it lacks proper banking, lighting, or deceleration devices." Another user pointed out, "If opened as is, bottlenecks and accident risks will be inevitable."

An overpass in Bhopal city, Madhya Pradesh, India. X (Ex)

Some branches of the Indian National Congress also mocked the structure through their official social media accounts. They wrote, "The elite design team’s right-angle railway overpass: an ordinary engineer would have followed the Pythagorean theorem (3²+4²=√25) and gone straight, but this team chose 3+4=7. A longer route, a bigger budget, and more opportunities to divert public funds. This is true innovation."

Meanwhile, one engineer involved in the design told local media that "the land available was extremely limited due to the proximity of a metro station to the overpass," and claimed, "This was the only design that could connect the two residential areas," further fueling the controversy. Ultimately, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who launched an investigation, acknowledged the technical flaws in the project and suspended the seven engineers involved. He also explained that the construction and design firms had been blacklisted. Authorities stated that they plan to modify the 90-degree sharp curve into a gentler curve, widen the bridge by about 90 centimeters, and open it to the public only after equipping it with safety features such as speed limits, lighting, and signage in accordance with the standards of the Indian Road Congress.