New Delhi: The Madhya Pradesh high court on Wednesday (September 17) questioned the blacklisting of the firm contracted to build the infamous ‘right-angle’ railover bridge in Bhopal over alleged government oversight in its construction.

“Blacklisting cannot sustain in view of the report; rather, the blacklisting had to go,” the court said, referring to a report that found that the bridge was built in accordance with the general arrangement drawing (GAD) provided to it by the Public Works Department (PWD).

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf were hearing a petition filed by the company, M/S Puneet Chaddha, challenging its blacklisting. 

During the last hearing on September 10, the court-appointed expert from the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, who had been asked to study the bridge, told the court that the bridge was turning at an angle of 118 degrees and was in accordance with the GAD.

“[A] status report has been filed by the Department of Civil Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal. Status report indicates that the angle in general arrangement drawing is 119 degree and at the site, the angle was measured and turned down to be 118’ 40’ 01. The expert has opined that the angle of turn at site is comparatively same with general arrangement drawing,” the court had said, following the submission.

The Madhya Pradesh government then sought time to respond and reconsider its decision regarding the blacklisting.

“We will give you as much time as you want. But why should he (the company) suffer the blacklist? Now you have to withdraw this order. Because somebody’s head has to roll now that this scapegoat is out. Somebody’s head will roll,” the court said on Wednesday.

Background

Advocate Praveen Dubey, appearing for M/S Puneet Chaddha, said that the company bagged the contract for the bridge in Aishbagh in 2021-22. The GAD for the project was provided by a government agency and construction was completed in 18 months.

The GAD was amended between 2023 and 2024, and the bridge was constructed under the supervision of the government agency, the petitioner said, according to the Indian Express.

Images of the bridge, which appears to bend at a right angle, had gone viral on social media platforms earlier this year and drew criticism over its potential to cause accidents.

A five-member committee was formed to investigate the matter by the state government.

The company had claimed that it was blacklisted based on the committee’s report without adequate opportunity to contest its findings.

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