Bridge section collapses on Jabalpur-Bhopal NH-45 stretch:Shahpura railway overbridge damaged; structure reported cracks during Dec inspection

Traffic on the Jabalpur–Bhopal National Highway-45 was disrupted on Sunday evening after a major portion of a railway overbridge near Shahpura caved in around 5 pm. Authorities immediately shut down the route as a precautionary measure and implemented traffic diversions. The bridge, built over the Shahpura railway crossing to ease traffic congestion, had already been under repair following earlier damage reported in December. Second incident in 3 months According to officials, this is the same bridge where part of the second lane was damaged in December. Since then, traffic had been operating on a single lane while repair and reconstruction work were underway on the other. The latest incident occurred in the section currently under construction. After the fresh subsidence was noticed, authorities stopped all traffic on the bridge citing safety concerns. Traffic was running on a single lane After the December damage, one lane of the bridge had been closed and vehicles were allowed to pass through the remaining operational lane in a controlled manner. The construction agency had been carrying out repair work on the closed portion. During this period, another section of the bridge developed structural issues and partially collapsed, prompting the administration to block the route entirely. Diversion and traffic control measures Following the closure, light vehicles have been diverted through internal roads within Shahpura town. However, heavy vehicles have been barred from using the route. Police and administrative personnel have been deployed locally to manage traffic flow and prevent congestion. Commuters are being advised to use alternative routes until further notice. Bridge built over railway crossing The overbridge was constructed above the Shahpura railway crossing to reduce traffic pressure and eliminate delays caused by railway gates. A technical team is currently inspecting the damaged portion to assess the structural integrity of the remaining bridge. Officials have stated that traffic will resume only after a detailed safety evaluation and necessary repairs. NHAI denies responsibility In response to the incident, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Jabalpur Project Director Amrit Sahu clarified that the affected stretch does not fall under NHAI’s jurisdiction. According to NHAI, the responsibility for construction and maintenance of the damaged section lies with the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC). Therefore, NHAI is not accountable for the maintenance or structural condition of the bridge. Railway track passes beneath collapsed section The bridge stands over a railway line, with tracks passing approximately 50 meters below the affected portion. Authorities noted that if the collapsed section had fallen directly onto the railway track — especially during the passage of a train — it could have resulted in a major rail accident. As a precautionary measure, railway officials and local authorities have increased monitoring of the area. Direct connectivity between Jabalpur and Bhopal affected The subsidence has disrupted direct connectivity between Jabalpur and Bhopal since 5 pm on Sunday. Traffic on NH-45 has been diverted to alternative routes. There were also reports that toll plazas had been instructed to allow vehicles to pass without charging toll temporarily. However, some drivers complained that toll was still being collected despite the disruption. Construction company blacklisted Rakesh More, Executive Engineer of MPRDC Jabalpur, stated that the National Highway and the overbridge were constructed by Bangad Company. Although repair work had been ongoing for several months, a section of the bridge suddenly collapsed. Following the incident, the company has been blacklisted. Officials confirmed that the damaged portion will have to be reconstructed by the same company. Authorities are continuing technical inspections and further action will depend on the findings of the structural assessment.