The Rajasthan High Court has stepped into a major infrastructure controversy in Dausa district, issuing formal notices to top officials over concerns that a newly proposed railway overbridge could become a serious accident hazard.
Court Acts on Residents' Plea
On Wednesday, a single bench of Justice Sandeep Taneja took cognizance of a petition filed by worried residents of Bandikui. The court directed notices to be sent to the General Manager of North-Western Railway, the Principal Secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD), and the District Collector of Dausa. These authorities have been asked to submit their responses regarding the contentious construction of a Railway Overbridge (ROB) at Agra Phatak.
Why is the Bridge Design Controversial?
Arguing the case, Senior Advocate Rajendra Soni presented the core issue to the court. He highlighted that the proposed ROB features a unique Z-shaped design. This design incorporates two L-shaped 90-degree sharp curves combined with steep slopes. According to the petitioners, this specific geometry is a recipe for disaster, significantly increasing the risk of vehicular accidents once operational.
Soni informed the court that the Public Works Department has already allocated a substantial budget of nearly Rs 150 crore for this project, and construction work has reportedly commenced. The petition drew parallels to existing problems, stating that similar L-shaped bridges built in cities like Indore and Bhopal are already causing difficulties and safety issues for drivers.
Residents' Repeated Appeals Ignored
The court heard that the local citizens had not remained silent prior to seeking judicial intervention. The petitioners had lodged several complaints with the state government and the concerned departments, raising red flags about the potentially dangerous design. However, they claimed that no corrective action was taken in response to their grievances, leaving them with no option but to approach the High Court.
The preliminary hearing has now set the stage for a legal examination of the project's safety parameters. The responses from the railway, PWD, and district administration will be crucial in determining the future of this high-cost infrastructure project in Bandikui.
