The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched urgent repair work on the Sanjay Setu bridge near Khalghat, following widespread alarm over viral videos that showed a portion of the structure swaying dangerously. The 750-metre-long bridge is a critical link on the Agra-Mumbai National Highway, situated on the border of Khargone and Dhar districts in Madhya Pradesh.
Immediate Inspection and Cause Identified
Project director Praveen Yadav of the NHAI informed that an immediate inspection was conducted after the concerning videos circulated online. The investigation pinpointed the root cause: the bearings supporting the girders beneath the bridge had become displaced. This failure was responsible for the abnormal and hazardous movement observed in the footage.
"A team was immediately deployed and repair work was initiated to arrest the dangerous movement," Yadav stated. The specialized repair strategy includes the replacement of the faulty bridge bearings. Given the challenging river conditions below, which make conventional scaffolding unfeasible, engineers are employing steel support frames and hanging platforms to carry out the work safely.
Methodology and Timeline for Restoration
Emphasizing the need to maintain traffic flow, Yadav explained that the repairs are being executed using a carefully planned methodology. "These works follow approved engineering practices to ensure long-term safety, durability, and uninterrupted traffic movement," he assured. A significant decision has been made to replace all the bearings of the older bridge structure.
The official confirmed that while the process is time-consuming, it is progressing steadily. The entire repair operation is expected to be completed by mid-March. He sought to allay public fears, asserting, "At present, the structure does not pose any immediate danger and is fully stable and operational."
Bridge History and Traffic Impact
The Sanjay Setu bridge, a vital artery for regional and national connectivity, was originally constructed by the Public Works Department back in 1980. It handles a massive volume of traffic daily, with thousands of vehicles relying on it. The affected span is specifically used by vehicles travelling from Indore towards Mumbai.
Notably, there are two parallel bridges at the same location to manage traffic flowing from and towards Indore. This configuration has helped in managing the vehicular load while the essential repair work on the older bridge continues without necessitating a complete shutdown.
