2nd RoB taken up again in Bhopal corridor as old one strains under traffic woes

Bhopal: Hoshangabad Road, one of Bhopal's fastest-growing corridors, is set for a major boost in connectivity with the approval of a new Railway Over Bridge (RoB). The project will cut the current 4.3-km detour to a direct 1-km link, connecting Ashima Mall to Bawadiakala Chowk near Apollo Sage Hospital.The 733-metre bridge, backed by a budget of Rs 49 crore and a two-year construction timeline, was first proposed last April and has gained momentum following intervention from the local MLA. It is expected to ease congestion for commuters and accelerate development across the corridor, according to PWD sources.Just two kilometres away, another RoB commissioned in Feb 2020 already serves as a vital link between Hoshangabad Road and the residential sectors of Bawadiakala, Shahpura, and Kolar. At 661 metres, the existing structure provides essential connectivity but faces heavy traffic pressure. The absence of a central divider and proper road markings has led to congestion and safety concerns. The new RoB is designed to address these shortcomings, officials said. Construction logistics include clearance of encroachments and relocation of utilities such as power lines, water pipes, and telecom cables. An official said that monthly milestone reports will track progress, while a defects liability clause requires contractor-funded fixes after completion.Parents heading out from Rohit Nagar, workers commuting from Salaiya, students traveling from Kolar Road, and shoppers from Shahpura all find themselves crawling through clogged backroads. To make matters worse, ambulances struggle to push through the Dana Paani junction during emergencies, while vendors from Narmadapuram Road lose valuable hours trying to reach Ashima Mall's bustling marketplace. Can the new 733-metre bridge put an end to these daily navigation nightmares?