Villagers question construction quality; Railways attributes cracks to natural settlement, Collector seeks technical inspection
Published on: July 0, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
A newly constructed ₹26-crore railway overbridge at Barga village on the Rajnandgaon–Dongargarh railway section has come under scrutiny after cracks appeared on the roadway following the season’s first spell of rain, prompting concerns among residents and calls for an independent technical assessment.
The appearance of cracks across the surface of the overbridge has sparked widespread concern in the village, with a large number of residents gathering at the site to question the quality of construction and demand a transparent investigation. The issue has since drawn attention across the district.
The overbridge was constructed to eliminate the long-standing traffic congestion and delays caused by the railway level crossing at Barga. Inaugurated nearly four months ago, the project was expected to provide uninterrupted connectivity and ease daily commuting for local residents. However, the appearance of visible cracks after the first monsoon rains has raised questions about the structure’s durability.
Residents Demand Quality Audit
Villagers argued that the emergence of cracks in a newly built infrastructure project worth ₹26 crore is a matter of serious concern. They maintained that if the construction had met the required quality standards, such damage should not have appeared during the first rainy season.
Residents have demanded a comprehensive technical audit of the entire project and appropriate action against those found responsible if any deficiencies are established. They said there should be no compromise on quality or transparency in public infrastructure projects.
Railways Calls It a Natural Phenomenon
Following the complaints, railway officials inspected the site and, in their preliminary assessment, described the cracks as part of a natural settlement process.
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According to the officials, the initial monsoon rains can sometimes lead to settlement and compaction of the soil beneath the road surface, resulting in minor cracks at certain locations. They said the matter is technical in nature and that corrective measures, if required, would be undertaken after a detailed inspection.
Collector Seeks Technical Examination
Taking cognisance of the issue, Collector Jitendra Yadav has written to the competent authorities of the South East Central Railway, requesting a detailed technical inspection of the overbridge.
The Collector has sought an assessment of the construction quality and requested that necessary action be taken based on the findings of the technical evaluation. Rather than drawing conclusions at this stage, he has asked the Railways to establish the factual and engineering aspects of the matter through a scientific investigation.
The outcome of the technical inspection is expected to determine whether the cracks are the result of normal post-construction settlement or indicative of shortcomings in the quality of construction. Should the inquiry reveal negligence or irregularities, demands for accountability are likely to intensify.
