MP Bridge Collapse: PWD Minister Assures Strict Action

February 23, 2026

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rakesh Singh said on Monday that strict action will be taken in connection with the railway overbridge collapse incident, including blacklisting the contractor, initiating action against officials found responsible, and lodging an FIR against those accountable.

Describing the incident as unacceptable, the minister said accountability would be fixed and necessary punitive measures would be implemented to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Bridge Portion Collapses Near Shahpura

A portion of the railway overbridge on National Highway-45 near Shahpura in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh collapsed on Sunday evening during ongoing maintenance work, severely disrupting traffic on the key Jabalpur–Bhopal route.

The incident occurred around 5 p.m. when a section of the approach road to the rail overbridge caved in. One part of the structure had reportedly been damaged earlier, with one of the supporting pillars showing signs of sinking, which had prompted repair and maintenance activities at the site.

While repair work was underway on one portion of the structure, an adjacent section suddenly gave way, forcing authorities to completely close the affected stretch of the highway as a precautionary measure. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Inquiry Ordered, Officials Assess Damage

Speaking to media persons in Bhopal, the minister said that the railway overbridge had been constructed by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation. He said the construction agency was carrying out repair work on one section when the portion collapsed during the maintenance process.

Minister Singh emphasised that the contractor’s liability period had not yet expired, indicating that the contractor would be held accountable for structural defects and failures occurring within the stipulated defect liability period.

Officials from the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation and the Public Works Department are jointly assessing the damage and coordinating restoration work to reopen the affected highway stretch at the earliest. A technical inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the collapse, including possible structural weaknesses, material defects, or lapses in monitoring and execution during maintenance work.

Political Reactions and Agricultural Remarks

The collapse has raised concerns regarding infrastructure quality, safety standards, and supervision of public works projects in the state. Local residents and commuters expressed frustration over repeated infrastructure failures, citing disruptions to daily life and transport connectivity.

In a separate statement, Minister Singh referred to Madhya Pradesh receiving the Krishi Karman Award for agricultural performance and dismissed recent farmer protests and criticism from the Indian National Congress as politically motivated. He said the state has consistently recorded strong agricultural output and asserted that the government remains committed to farmers’ welfare.