Over 20 lives lost: Was Berhampur’s overbridge built for public safety or private profit and at what cost?

Serious questions are now being raised over the controversial Haladiapadar rail overbridge in Berhampur, as allegations surface about design changes that reportedly led to the death of over 20 innocent people.

Questions are being raised about whether the overbridge was built for public safety or private profit, and at what cost? Whose interests were prioritized during its construction, and who should be held accountable for the tragic loss of lives?

Growing Public Outcry

The State Government has taken the recent accidents on the Haladiapadar railway-overbridge with utmost seriousness. In response to the growing public outcry, a high-level technical team is scheduled to visit the site on February 16 to conduct a comprehensive inspection.

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The team will closely examine the bridge’s construction methodology, structural safety measures, and, most importantly, review the original design and engineering drawings.

Design Altered To Benefit Political Leaders

Serious allegations have emerged claiming that the bridge’s alignment was altered during construction to benefit certain influential political leaders and powerful individuals. It is being alleged that under the previous regime, the design was modified so that the bridge would pass over lands owned by prominent politicians, builders, and other influential figures, thereby enabling them to gain double financial benefits.

Since its inauguration, the bridge has reportedly witnessed repeated accidents, claiming more than 20 lives.

As the technical review approaches, the focus now remains on uncovering whether negligence, design manipulation, or systemic failure lies at the heart of this recurring tragedy — and who must answer for the mounting loss of innocent lives.